A Streetcar Named Desire

1951.

Winner of 4 Academy Awards.

#45 / #47

Blanche Dubois (Vivien Leigh), a washed-up Southern belle, moves in with her sister Stella (Kim Hunter) and brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski (Marlon Brando). Violence and madness erupt as Blanche tries everything to find someone to take care of her.

Sarah: I love this movie. Vivien Leigh and Marlon Brando create iconic performances, which has become the base for anyone attempting to portray these roles on stage. You just can't think Blanche without seeing Vivien, or hear Stanley Kowalski without thinking of Brando. Damn, they are amazing. Vivien Leigh alternates between victim and villain. Brando's surly, speech-slurring performance is magnetic. He is both dangerous and sexy at once. These two have such a range.

The delicate state of Blanche mixed with the explosive temper of Stan will keep you in a constant nervous state. Plus there is a macabre feeling to the whole situation which adds a sickening suspense. Tennessee Williams, you're a strange man.

Eddie: Brando delivers in STREETCAR. He delivers big time. I've extolled his talents before (here and here), but in STREETCAR, you find a Brando teeming with youth, energy, and more talent in the curl of his lip than you or I will ever have in our lifetimes. Leigh shines here, too, but Brando's performance overshadows hers, even though hers is remarkable.

Why You Should See it: "Stelllllaaaaaa!!!!!"