One problem common to most plays that have been adapted for the movies is that there's too much dialogue, and not enough action. Scenes of two people talking (or, more likely, one person mostly talking and one person mostly listening) seem to stretch on and on. Of course, if the script is good enough, all is forgiven.
Although "A Streetcar Named Desire" received an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay, the script, based on the Tennessee Williams' play, is not strong enough to fully overcome the stagy nature of the film. The character of Blanche (Vivien Leigh) in particular is burdened with rambling speeches, which she must deliver in her affected whisper.
"A Streetcar Named Desire" has aging beauty
Blanche forced to leave her hometown, as the
family estate has been lost, and her scandalous
behavior has made her not welcome. She moves in
with sister Stella (Kim Hunter) in New Orleans,
who lives with brutish husband Stanley (Marlon
Brando). There, the emotionally fragile Blanche
spins lies to cover her scandals, and to further
a romance with lonely Mitch (Karl Malden). As her
true past comes out, Blanche becomes the only
person to believe her lies.
The film caused a sensation, as did the play.
Brando, who received an Oscar nomination for Best
Actor, has the most controversial role, a
swaggering, bullying blue-collar character. Both
Malden and Brando make sexual advances on
Blanche, with wild gleams in their eyes. Blanche
is pitied by other women, but is a subject of
derision for men.
"A Streetcar Named Desire" is a very good film
despite its problems. The cast is excellent, and
the characters are sharply defined. The cast was
mostly taken from the successful Broadway play,
with Leigh substituting for Jessica Tandy as
Blanche. Leigh is so convincing that she has been
identified with the role, her second most famous
after Scarlett in "Gone With the Wind". It is
ironic that her later years are said to resemble
Blanche's character in some ways.
"A Streetcar Named Desire" won Oscars for Best
Actress (Leigh), Best Supporting Actor (Malden),
Best Supporting Actress (Hunter) and for the
sets. It was also nominated for Best Picture,
Best Director (Elia Kazan) and Best
Cinematography. But despite its critical success,
the film is somewhat over-rated, while more
deserving Kazan efforts such as "A Tree Grows in
Brooklyn" and "America, America" are
comparatively obscure. (72/100)
DVDS. In the classic play by {$Tennessee Williams}, brought to the screen by {$Elia Kazan}, faded Southern belle {%Blanche DuBois} ({$Vivien Leigh}) c...More at DeepDiscount.com
Tennessee Williams based his screenplay on Oscar Saul's adaptation of Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning play set in a grimy New Orleans project. The st...More at Family Video
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