# Streetcar Named Desire, A (1951)

### reviewed by
Brian Koller

    A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

    Grade: 72

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 behaviour 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.

I have not seen any of Williams' plays, but several of his screen adaptions. From what I have seen, he appears to be over-rated as a playwright, drawing excessive publicity through the use of controversial and sexual themes.

"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 comparitively obscure.

kollers@mpsi.net http://members.tripod.com/~Brian_Koller/movies.html

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