On the Waterfront

Caitie Morris
Enr.English 10
Mrs.Burgess
11/27/07
On the Waterfront
~~~On the Waterfront was an extremely enjoyable and influential movie. This film was incredibly entertaining because it gave its audience something to think about. Terry Malloy had to make the ultimate decision, whether to pursue justice and have his brother murdered or cover-up a murder and live with his decision. This film was also effective because it touched many different types of audiences and people. Despite its black and white colors, this film was vivid and colorful. It had moments that you wanted to laugh, cry, and dance at the same time. This movie was effective because it was relatable, vivid, and enjoyable.
~~~The literary aspects such as setting, symbols, and themes, from On the Waterfront played a large role in the movie. An example of the setting affected the film is in the outdoor scene where Terry is talking to Father Barry. The setting was harsh with dead trees and dirty snow. This unwelcoming scenery turned a normal argument into a cruel and relentless debate. Another literary aspect that affects this film is the symbols. One fairly important symbol is the music beat from the beginning to the end of the wedding dance. When the music first commenced it was simple and slow, showing Edie and Terry’s separation. As Terry and Edie spend more and more time dancing and getting to know each other, the beat gradually climbed. A third example of an influential aspect is the themes. A very important theme that arose throughout the film is do not judge a book by its cover. Edie learned this particular idea from when she first met Terry and thought of him as a worthless bum to finally beginning to fall in love with him. In conclusion, the literary features such as setting, symbols, and themes, played a bulky role in this motion picture.
~~~The dramatic aspects such as actors and costumes played an important role in On the Waterfront‘s mood and image. Important casting decisions arise when producing a movie, but when the directors chose Marlon Brando, Eva Marie Saint, and Karl Malden, they made the right choices. Marlon Brandon played the main lead of the character, Terry Malloy, very well not only because of his physical characteristics but also because of his acting style. Marlon was a perfect match when it came to his character. Terry had sad eyes that showed his caring nature, his bad boy image, and his boxer face, all added to Marlon’s acting success. But Marlon’s hot bod was not the only thing that aided his impersonation of Terry but also his acting style. Marlon would sometimes end his sentenced in a desperate or whining tone, which would Terry as being somewhat childish and uncomfortable with his actions. Another characteristic of Marlon’s acting that rubbed off on Terry’s character was his stance. Marlon would stand somewhat hunched over boxing position, which never let the audience to forget Terry’s past career. A second well selected actor was Eva Marie Saint. This actress not only portrayed her character, Edie Doyle physically but also with her acting style. Eva showed Edie to be innocent and untainted. This is shown by how Eva would talk like an innocent and untainted child with her high and questioning voice. Eva also showed Edie very well by her physique. Eva had bright blonde hair and a paler complexion; this gave the viewers a sense of holiness or purity. A third example of a well chosen actor was Karl Malden for the character of Father Barry. Karl Malden was tall; this height advantage gave the audience a sense of nobility for Father Barry compared to the workers. Karl also acted this part very well with his powerful, low voice and stance. Father Barry stood tall and straight, this showed his significance in the workers’ lives. The casting selections were not the only important dramatic aspect of On the Waterfront, the costume choosing also play a large role in the movie’s image. Some costume varieties that aided in their character’s representation was for Terry Malloy and Edie Doyle. Terry’s costume of a plaid, ragged coat was important because it showed how Terry was a low key, relatable guy. This strengthened the audience’s connection with Terry, and in turn increased their happiness at the happy ending. A second character that was influenced by her outfit was Edie Doyle. This actress wore a buttoned up covering coat. This selection showed her tightly strung personality and untrusting ways. The dramatic aspects in On the Waterfront played a huge role in the movie’s mood and image, by giving further insight.
~~~The cinematic aspects of On the Waterfront also played a huge role in the mood and image of this well known film. One cinematic aspect that greatly influenced this movie was the low shot. An example of this is when Terry Malloy is looking up at Edie Doyle on a higher ledge. This low angle gives the perception that in the eyes of Terry, Edie is an object of desire. It also gives the viewers the sense that Edie is above the “common” worker or mob, Terry, and that in turn she will have more influence. A second deeply important cinematic feature is the use of lighting. An example of this is in the pool table room scene where a spotlight shines on Johnny Friendly, the mob boss. This lighting effect shows how Johnny is more important and powerful then everyone else in the room (mob). This also shows how Johnny is in the spotlight and the public eye more often than the other mob participants. This also foreshadowed Johnny’s significantly more emotional fight scene towards Terry than the other mobsters. A third example of an influential cinematic aspect is when the bosses are looking down on the workers after they had thrown the time chips on the ground. This scene showed the evident separation between the bosses and the union workers. The fashion in which the bosses peered down upon the workers illustrates their perceptions of how they are of a higher grade and cannot be touched by the union worker’s and their issues. Theses cinematic features enhanced the film’s overall mood and image.
~~~Arthur Miller’s All My Sons is very similar to On the Waterfront when it comes to their ethical dilemmas. The protagonist, Joe Keller and Terry Malloy both had to make the ultimate decision between their families or the truth. But the way in which theses important characters reacted was anything but similar. Joe Keller chose his family, instead of saving the lives of twenty-one pilots. But Terry Malloy, he chose the truth. Instead of saving himself or his brother from murder, he opted to confess to the court about all the mob affairs. Fact is, Terry Malloy was later seen as a hero to the union workers, while Joe Keller was seen as a murder. It seems as though the harder the decision, the more praise is received. Arthur Miller’s All My Sons is very similar to On the Waterfront when it comes to their ethical dilemmas.
~~~I would definitely recommend this film. This video is vivid, even through its black and white pixels, and relatable. The characters are very relatable with their down to earth and middle case personalities. This film also has a little bit of everything for everyone. It has mob bosses for the dads, the hot boy with a nice body for the girls, a love romance story for the moms, and guns for the boys! This setting is also very relatable for all Minnesotans with the chilly weather and cold scenery. This movie is a must see because it is overall extremely entertaining and fun to watch.