Alexandar Review of A Streetcar Named Desire

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

Intense, talky drama with some great performances and characterizations

[9/10 · 30 December 2004]

Tennessee Williams' great play finds equally good adaptation in this poignant feature. May be too talky for some (theatrical equivalent) by nevertheless extremely colorful, intense, emotionally correct, coherent and, above all, an effective drama. Leigh is awesome as a main female character with the mysterious past. So is Malden in supporting role as a decent man with the sick mother and in love with Leigh. They deservedly won Oscars. So did Kim Hunter for her fine performance as a women crucified between love for her sister and her husband. Brando is nothing less as a ruthless, primitive Kowalski. Director Kazan shows great skill here in developing a proper atmosphere and tension. American Film Institute included this movie in 100 Greatest American Movies of all times (#45). A real knockout