Frazzled, worn-out schoolteacher Blanche DuBois (Vivien Leigh) visits her sister Stella (Kim Hunter) in New Orleans on a leave of absence. Despite having come from a family of considerable reputation, Stella has married Stanley Kowalski (Marlon Brando) — a proud brute of a man — and settled in a crummy two-room apartment in the low-rent district where drinking and violent outbursts are the order of the day. During Stanley's weekly poker game, she draws the interest of Mitch (Karl Malden), but as they begin their romance, Stanley begins to question aspects of her story. The more he hears, the more he begins to believe that Blanche may be lying or mentally unstable or both.
Winner of four Academy Awards[1], including three for acting alone[2], A Streetcar Named Desire is commonly referenced as one of the pinnacles of film acting. Led by Vivien Leigh's quintessential portrayal of Blanche DuBois and one of Marlon Brando's earliest displays of his unique brand of animal magnetism, Streetcar feels more alive than most adaptations of plays dare dream.
Leigh plays DuBois as a wounded animal constantly fearing the next brutal attack, and she has that ability to make your heart break, but as the film progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that she's not entirely a victim, that she's got a few ulterior motives and dubious schemes. And that makes her a dangerous woman to get close to, but she's in many ways more dangerous to herself. Her increasing state of mental instability means that she's drifting further and further from the classy innocence she's striving to maintain, and her past choices have required a facade that's eventually just lies built on lies built on an illusion and good looks. But her looks are fading, and with it her entire persona is crumbling. And that can lead a woman to desperation.
To be sure, it is a difficult role. Some have called it the most difficult female role in existence. And Leigh is perfect. She gives the character more layers and nuances than the audience can process, but she does it all so convincingly that she gets lost in the role[3].
Article comments
1 - Bliffle
Brandos first film was "The Men", set in a vets hospital inhabited by the recent WW2 vets trying to recover from their physical and (especially) emotional problems. An excellent movie, in a semi-documentary style, well worth seeing. You can see the Brando sensibility develop.
As I recall, Brando hitchhiked out to see Tennesee Williams (Brando being broke at the time) to try out for the part in "Streetcar...", which Williams granted upon seeing his power. On parting Williams said: "go get 'em, you Great Big Beautiful Man".
2 - saleh ismail
it's a fucking story
really don't read or even waste your time by watching the movie version of this story.
3 - bliffle
Actually, there's very little fucking in the story.
Please expand your comment, saleh, perhaps explain if this is a bad story or if all stories are bad. It's difficult to see your point.