Fantasy4eva: MR - A Streetcar Named Desire

MR - A Streetcar Named Desire

- 122 min - Drama | Romance - 1 December 1951 (West Germany)

Synopsis - Disturbed Blanche DuBois moves in with her sister in New Orleans and is tormented by her brutish brother-in-law while her reality crumbles around her.

Director: Elia Kazan

Writers: Tennessee Williams (original play "A Streetcar Named Desire"), Oscar Saul (adaptation),

Stars: Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando and Kim Hunter

Note - worthy -I am behind on review books and here I am writing a movie review for reasons that even I can't explain!. So, many of you are aware of my love for Marlon, Marilyn, James dean and the list goes on. The first Marlon Brando movie I watched was "A Streetcar Named Desire." He is at his best "looks wise" young, and in shape. He starred in this movie just as his career was taking of. Opposite him was cast Vivien Leigh who plays a women who is slowly loosing herself - was suggested by Brando since Vivien was actually going through a relatively similar condition in real life due to being diagnosed as manic depressive. He felt her real life condition would help the actress portray her characters; anguish, confusions, and depression - perfectly than any other possibly could. I convinced myself that I had to see this movie, and although other Brando movies are amazing in their own right, this one remains a personal favourite.

Here is a scene from the movie that shows the strange chemistry between this couple who perhaps love their; Drama, fights, making and breaking up as much as they do each other.

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My Thoughts - Blanche DuBois is a troubled woman who arrives unexpectedly to live with her sister Stella. Her reasons for arriving are one sided, claiming that her husband committed suicide for reasons she does not share, apparently she thinks a change of scenery would do her some good. Well... think again dear.

Soon enough, it becomes clear that Stella's manly/brutish husband - Stanley isn't too happy about her arrival. Her presence has shifted the atmosphere in their home. Used to being the centre of Stella’s attention and even rude whenever he likes, he now has to think before he acts (not that he does) and that is slowly taking it's toll on him. Part of the problem might be their instant dislike for each other, also most likely because Blanche exhumes a sort of fabricated elegance, poise, and superiority - especially when it comes to Stanley who she tends to look down on.

Things seemingly only go downhill, although you catch Blanche looking on lustfully and admiring Stanley from afar, she holds back in stubbornness - almost when he is near, often showing plain disgust when he mistreats Stella. Being very primal, rough and even sensual as well as extremely good looking, the desire upon Stella's face when he is nearby is clear. There is another side to him though, he is also physically and emotionally abusive towards Stella, but as time goes on in the movie you witness a few scenes where she almost enjoys this, mean-rough side to him. Twistedly enough, it starts to become clear that this nature of his might be the thing that attracted her to him in the first place. I found this realisation very disturbing.

Meanwhile, as Blanche starts to date a friend of Stanley’s - being Mitch, tensions grow between Blanche and Stanley. He becomes almost - obsessed with the idea of getting the upper hand, and soon enough uncovers some things which only contribute to Blanche's mental decline.

Blanche is a woman who often forgets that fine line between reality and fantasy, someone who because of all the pain and turmoil she has faced creates a past of her own accord and soon enough starts to believe her own stories. Her life is not a happy one, wanting to love and be loved and yearning to be pretty again by avoiding old age are things that are often on her mind.

This almost - triangle that has formed between her sister- Stella-herself and Stanley is becoming unhealthy. It has started to dawn on her (although perhaps to0 late) that she needs to get away, but she has nowhere else to go. It's this thought that makes her desperate to find love, someone who will typically in a fairytale be; Rich and good looking, who will take her away from everything. This is reality though, and there are more bad guys than good as she is soon to find out.

Blanche at times seems to loose herself and who she is at the briefest of moments, then slips back into herself. It's disturbing to see. One such as Blanche can be completely unpredictable and even self - destructive. Her love for her sister is clear through, her want for love just as much.

This movie completely destroyed the Actress Vivien Leigh who was suffering from manic depression. Although in reality the role hurt her more than it benefited her, Brando was right, she was perfect for the role, and gave a -haunting -stellar performance. I don't like to think how much doing this role would have hurt Vivien, of course it would affect her; Blanche was a parallel of herself. She was basically leaving herself vulnerable and open for the world to see.. I would like to think of her role as Blanche as an achievement, the movie won Oscars, Vivien Leigh one of them deservingly. Yes the movie is Black & White but for those of who aren't into watching the "older" movies; will be more than surprised.

*Whispers* - Brando mentioned that he found Vivien physically attractive, but due to finding her husband Laurence Oliver such a great guy he simply couldn't bring himself to seduce her. How unfortunate * sarcastic voice* I still adore them both though :D Vivien led quite a tragic life in her later years, her condition being the main cause behind it. That's a story I will add on to in my tab "So I think you totally make the list" Yup I've decided to feature her next.

I can see why many of today's generation can't really relate to older movies or just don't want to. Heck the movies tend to be black and white and most of the actors long gone right? I understand. But I still recommend you to give this one a go.

I plan on introducing you to the fantastic cinema of the early 90s and the amazing actors from that time. Not interested? I'm counting on my future reviews to change your mind on that one. :)