MovieChat Forums > On the Waterfront (1954) Discussion > Sorry...I just don't 'get' Brando...

Sorry...I just don't 'get' Brando...

posted 17 years ago by aciolino
102 replies | jump to latest

Is it me, or is Brando the most over-rated actor of all time?

I cannot watch him in this film without thinking I'm looking at a guy in clown make-up trying desperately to over act and be sympathetic. Instead, I'm amused and bored. He is hopelessly self-consciouss: check him out fixing his collar in the bar just after his brother was murdered--strictly amatuerish. ("Is my shirt on right??") How did Kazan allow that?

How about his ridiculous accent? What kind of an accent is that? New York? Brooklyn? Jersey? Not like any I've ever heard, and I've lived 53 years in NYC.

As far as I'm concerned Brando's is the worst performance in this film. Malden steals this movie, (Brando could NEVER believably deliver the "Jesus is kneeling right here" speech. Malden is spot on.) but I could see if you think Cobb does. Stieger is better than Brando as well.

Brando couldn't do half of the roles Cobb has done. Couldn't touch them. Can you imagine Brando in "Salesman"??? Laughable. They should do a SNL version of that!

That's all.

[–] Knoxvicious 17 years ago

Hell no, that scene with him and Charlie in the back of the car is a classic. He made it too. Some of the best acting ever.

-You can take Spider-pig with you!
-He's not Spider-pig anymore, he's Harry Plodder!"

[–] hawkes04 17 years ago

no he did not have a great resume but his potential as an actor and what he could do and did do is what makes him one of the best ever.

for me, its mainly the way he moved on screen and the things he did while the dialogue and action was taking place. he was doing things that other actors never thought of doing. i have to say i "got him" pretty much immediately.

as for his resume, yes a lot of his films were poor and as a result he probably couldnt be bothered.

this one, streetcar, wild one, godfather and one eyed jacks are great.

[–] sexyabibi 17 years ago

A lot of people think he's overrated.

[–] pegora 14 years ago

and most people think he's the greatest actor of all time.

[–] Prom_Queen_Carrie 17 years ago

well Brando himself didn't like his performance in On The Waterfront. I think it's just the opposite of what the OP said! Perhaps you are just too cynical coming in to watch the film to begin with that you don't give him a chance because you are too conscious that you're watching Brando the proclaimed greatest actor ever and that distracts you because you aren't looking at the character. It's too bad that you don't get what I get out of it. Because I don't see him TRYING to do anything. I see him as being the only actor ever that can be that intense and it still being as real and natural as possible. Intensity doesn't equal overacting. And it's too bad these days people are too cynical and can't tell the difference. I guess actors aren't allowed to be intense and vulnerable onscreen without people bashing it as overacting all the time. Brando never overacted he was just intense and it was always very real. This performance is amazing although I don't think it's his best performance. A Streetcar Named Desire was his best performance. Just changed film acting forever. If anything Brando changed acting FROM being too theatrical and over the top and made it more natural and real. Did you think A Streetcar Named Desire was overacting too?

[–] Tyler_Seymour_Wallach 13 years ago

Carrie is omnipresent.

http://forizzer69.wordpress.com/ (Films I Saw Last Week)

[–] Q-DD 16 years ago

Lee J Cobb could have played Don Corleone effectively?

Not at all like Brando but a big "YES" though!

[–] gilbert_gumphrey 16 years ago

Brando's great - now James Dean, THERE'S an overrated actor. i think he was totally cool too, but honestly, i find his performances absolutely dreadful.
cheers
KZ

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] comicstu 15 years ago

I personally have no idea how anyone can consider his performance in 'Apocalypse Now' to be embarrassing; it's one of the most fascinating performances I've ever seen.

[–] pegora 14 years ago

yup! it's only you dearie!

[–] Redux006 14 years ago

I completely agree with you. Don't listen to any of these idiots chewing the carpet because you dared to defame their "god" Brando. Anytime you question dogma, whether it be religion, acting, or anything else, you are going to get screamed at by all the sheep believers. As far as Brando goes, anytime someone is as vain and in love with themselves as much as he was, there are going to be plenty of weak minded fools who are willing to believe it too. If anything gets said enough times most people will believe it, politicians know that too well. FACT one, you don't have to walk on the moon to play an astronaut, that is why it is called ACTING. FACT two, Brando couldn't act his way out of a wet paper bag. His acting style is the same as a blank canvas hanging in a modern art museum. Say a bunch of random pretentious non sequitur things in front of a camera, and the same New York yuppies who see meaning in the blank canvas will find all sorts of "poetic" meaning in your crappy "acting".

[–] moghman 14 years ago

are you a troll? might i ask.

[–] oluckymanuk 14 years ago

Except Brando's character's are actually quite literal, especially in Street Car and this. He never breaks character to wax lyrical about theme etc etc. You really haven't said anything with any evidence.

[–] Redux006 14 years ago

You may be right. I was a bit out of line there, expressing my opinion, but shouldn't have disrespected anyone else for theirs. We all have different tastes afterall. I don't even like those old black and white movies (except for the samurai ones from Japan). I never liked the acting style of those old movies, by anyone, so naturally I wouldn't much care for Brando either.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] cheedo 14 years ago

Not of ALL time... I've seen even more overrated, but few.

"Rawr, I'm a dinosaur!" No. Rawr, you're an idiot.

[–] TooManyFives 14 years ago

As far as I'm concerned Brando's is the worst performance in this film. Malden steals this movie, (Brando could NEVER believably deliver the "Jesus is kneeling right here" speech. Malden is spot on.) but I could see if you think Cobb does. Stieger is better than Brando as well.

While i'll agree that Malden was fantastic in this film, and i think was equal to Brando, I don't agree that Brando was over rated. I think He was one of the purest natural talents i have ever seen.