A Streetcar Named Desire (1951, Elia Kazan), a classic film carried by the outstanding acting and intriguing storyline, is a adapted from the 1947 Tennessee Williams play, arguably his best. With Williams working on the adaption himself and director Kazan, who also directed the play on Broadway, the film stays true to the original play.
The film is certainly strongly theatrical rather than cinematic, taking three academy awards for acting roles. Carried by the exceptional performances, in particular by Vivian Leigh (Blanche DuBois) and Marlon Brando (Stanley Kowalski). The two characters conflict one another superbly. Brando's strong, violent character contrasts with Leigh's frail and poetic character completely. Brandos acting is outstanding, in what was only his second on screen role, playing the animalistic brute of a character of Stanley Kowalski, he played on stage earlier in his career. He clearly is the star of the film even though the play was originally based around Blanche, Brando takes the screen, however missing the best actor to Humphrey Bogart for his role in The African Queen (1951). Leigh, in one of her last on screen performances, playing the role she played in the London production of the play, does exceptionally well to portray the mentally broken, vulnerable Blanche receiving best actress for her role. Performances by Kim Hunter, in the role she played on Broadway and winning best supporting actress for her role, and Karl Maldon, who won best supporting actor, strengthen the films theatrical experience.
An exceptional screen adaption of the magnificent Williams play, full of intriguing, emotional and beautiful lines. A great film classic to see if not for the adaption, for the remarkable acting by some of Hollywoods best.
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