★★★½ On The Waterfront

[Gino: 3.5]

[Watched on the train in two parts.] I feel kinda odd reviewing such a famous film. I wasn't terribly impressed with the storyline, but the acting as a whole was a notch above anything I have seen from this era (1954). Marlon Brando and his character are mesmerizing. I like his character because he is a very reluctant hero. A depressed, lazy guy struggling with his conscience and wishing he didn't have one. A simpleton, but a complex portrayal of a simpleton. Certainly much of the credit has to go to Brando and his improvising, etc. But also I think to director Elia Kazan and the screenwriter and writer and the rest of the cast for holding it all together. Dumb review, I know... I didn't really have the time to educate myself about the film.