On the Waterfront (1954)

Director: Elia Kazan
Stars: Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb
Runtime: 108 minutes

Synopsis: An ex-prize fighter turned longshoreman struggles to stand up to his corrupt union bosses.

Performances: 5/5
Screenplay: 5/5
Editing: 5/5
Cinematography: 5/5
Score/Soundtrack: 5/5

Verdict: I finally watched "On the Waterfront", a film I've been postponing for God knows how long. And it was as glorious as I was expecting it to be.

Elia Kazan's masterpiece is a masterclass in both acting and screenwriting. Every single line of dialogue is delivered in a way that will give you chills all over you body, reaching their pinnacle in two particular scenes that I believe belong in Cinema's archives. The character arc of Terry Malloy, played by a tremendous Marlon Brando (who infamously despised his performance), is one of the most perfectly handled arcs I have ever seen. His story follows a weirdly anti-symmetric route that is handled with so much care and precision. Karl Malden and Eva Marie Saint also stand out as Father Barry and Edie Doyle, two very complex characters who played a determinant role in Malloy's odyssey. The film is also a beautifully shot one that never wastes a second on unnecessary exposition or filler scenes, doing a great job at presenting the themes of family, corruption, and standing up to both.
"On the Waterfront" was released in 1954 and deservedly won 8 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director the year after. It's an absolute must for anyone interested in filmmaking, screenwriting, or acting. It's a classic in every sense of the word.

FINAL GRADE: 10/10