Well, it seems inevitable that I'm going to feel the need to write some kind of a movie review for each Marlon Brando flick I watch from here on out. My "reviews" might be a little Brando-centric...what can I say, it's an illness. The film du jour is Sayonara (1957).
Synopsis (from Wikipedia): It tells the story of an American Air Force flier who was a fighter "Ace" during the Korean War. The film's screenplay was adapted by Paul Osborn from the novel by James Michener, and the film was produced by William Goetz and directed by Joshua Logan. Unlike most 1950s romantic dramas, Sayonara deals squarely with racism and prejudice.
That's really all the plot you need to know. Ugh! This is my 2nd to least favorite Brando movie thus far (it beat Mutiny on the Bounty by the narrowest of margins). On the whole I did not care for it and I'm feeling very inarticulate about why at the moment. I think it's sheer laziness because the list of things I dislike would be so long and I'm feeling tired. I will say this, I found it to be extremely predictable. Those who know me well, know that coming from me that's a very bad sign. The point is, Sayonara made me feel a whole lot more clever and film savvy than I really am, clairvoyant even. But it has a 7.2/10 rating on imdb so maybe it's just me.
And you know what, with the exception of a few scenes, I wasn't even all that thrilled by Brando's performance. Shocking right? I mean it would be exceptional by normal standards, it was even nominated for an Academy Award, but it was only mediocre for the great Marlon Brando. He did have some really great moments. But I've noticed he always seems to have an undercurrent of anger running through him no matter what role he's playing, especially in scenes with women. Often times that is exactly what the role calls for, like with Stanley Kowalski and Valentine Xavier. This time he just came off a little too heavy-handed and intense at moments. It wasn't credible coming from the mostly laid-back, jovial personality he established early on in the film. It's serious subject matter, no doubt about it, but he has to find a way to reconcile the lighter and darker sides of the character without making him seem schizo. I wouldn't have any suggestions as to how one goes about doing that, I'm no expert, I'm just calling 'em as I see 'em.
Here are a few of the things I did like though. I enjoyed the performance of Red Buttons, it surprised me how genuine, straightforward, and touching it was. I didn't know the comedian could act like that. I also liked the playful, easy comradarie and banter between Marlon Brando and James Garner's characters. Yowza, Garner was handsome back then! I've always liked him because he seemed like a swell, midwestern guy, someone you'd like to sit down and have a beer with. He'd almost come off as "salt of the earth" if it weren't for his mischevious side that peeks out around the edges sometimes. Part of his charm I s'pose. He seems polar opposite of Brando, wonder if they got along in real life?
For the character of Major Lloyd Gruver (I could never see a man who looks like Brando with an idiotic name like that, but whatever.) it's almost as if Brando is channeling the personality of the yet unborn at the time Matthew McConaughey. He adopted an easy-going, genteel, cheerful manner with a lazy southern drawl, and just a touch of the trademark Brando brooding thrown in. But when he gives us a glimpse of that charming smile his eyes light up and it's all smile lines and dimples. *swoon*
In my favorite scene he's casually chewing on a piece of gum while holding a converstion with James Garner's character, and I'm not paying much attention to what he's saying because my eyes are drawn to his... mouth ... and the way he's... chewing that.... Snap out of it, Angela. Sorry, I'm re-watching that scene for the 5th time. I usually find it crude when people chomp on gum while talking - not this time. That man can make just about anything look sexy. His trademark full lips were a little moist and flushed and it looked as if he was smacking on the most sweet, delicious piece of Juicy Fruit ever made. I wanted to kiss him and steal it right out of his mouth with my... Uh-oh, was that tmi? It's just that I have a weakness for.. *a-hem* gum.
I'm not a very professional or impartial movie reviewer am I? Well it's a good thing I never claimed to be and no one ever reads this crap anyway. That's all I have to say for this clunker. Worth watching if you're a huge fan of Brando, Garner, or Buttons. Otherwise, take a pass.
Synopsis (from Wikipedia): It tells the story of an American Air Force flier who was a fighter "Ace" during the Korean War. The film's screenplay was adapted by Paul Osborn from the novel by James Michener, and the film was produced by William Goetz and directed by Joshua Logan. Unlike most 1950s romantic dramas, Sayonara deals squarely with racism and prejudice.
That's really all the plot you need to know. Ugh! This is my 2nd to least favorite Brando movie thus far (it beat Mutiny on the Bounty by the narrowest of margins). On the whole I did not care for it and I'm feeling very inarticulate about why at the moment. I think it's sheer laziness because the list of things I dislike would be so long and I'm feeling tired. I will say this, I found it to be extremely predictable. Those who know me well, know that coming from me that's a very bad sign. The point is, Sayonara made me feel a whole lot more clever and film savvy than I really am, clairvoyant even. But it has a 7.2/10 rating on imdb so maybe it's just me.
And you know what, with the exception of a few scenes, I wasn't even all that thrilled by Brando's performance. Shocking right? I mean it would be exceptional by normal standards, it was even nominated for an Academy Award, but it was only mediocre for the great Marlon Brando. He did have some really great moments. But I've noticed he always seems to have an undercurrent of anger running through him no matter what role he's playing, especially in scenes with women. Often times that is exactly what the role calls for, like with Stanley Kowalski and Valentine Xavier. This time he just came off a little too heavy-handed and intense at moments. It wasn't credible coming from the mostly laid-back, jovial personality he established early on in the film. It's serious subject matter, no doubt about it, but he has to find a way to reconcile the lighter and darker sides of the character without making him seem schizo. I wouldn't have any suggestions as to how one goes about doing that, I'm no expert, I'm just calling 'em as I see 'em.
Here are a few of the things I did like though. I enjoyed the performance of Red Buttons, it surprised me how genuine, straightforward, and touching it was. I didn't know the comedian could act like that. I also liked the playful, easy comradarie and banter between Marlon Brando and James Garner's characters. Yowza, Garner was handsome back then! I've always liked him because he seemed like a swell, midwestern guy, someone you'd like to sit down and have a beer with. He'd almost come off as "salt of the earth" if it weren't for his mischevious side that peeks out around the edges sometimes. Part of his charm I s'pose. He seems polar opposite of Brando, wonder if they got along in real life?
For the character of Major Lloyd Gruver (I could never see a man who looks like Brando with an idiotic name like that, but whatever.) it's almost as if Brando is channeling the personality of the yet unborn at the time Matthew McConaughey. He adopted an easy-going, genteel, cheerful manner with a lazy southern drawl, and just a touch of the trademark Brando brooding thrown in. But when he gives us a glimpse of that charming smile his eyes light up and it's all smile lines and dimples. *swoon*
In my favorite scene he's casually chewing on a piece of gum while holding a converstion with James Garner's character, and I'm not paying much attention to what he's saying because my eyes are drawn to his... mouth ... and the way he's... chewing that.... Snap out of it, Angela. Sorry, I'm re-watching that scene for the 5th time. I usually find it crude when people chomp on gum while talking - not this time. That man can make just about anything look sexy. His trademark full lips were a little moist and flushed and it looked as if he was smacking on the most sweet, delicious piece of Juicy Fruit ever made. I wanted to kiss him and steal it right out of his mouth with my... Uh-oh, was that tmi? It's just that I have a weakness for.. *a-hem* gum.
I'm not a very professional or impartial movie reviewer am I? Well it's a good thing I never claimed to be and no one ever reads this crap anyway. That's all I have to say for this clunker. Worth watching if you're a huge fan of Brando, Garner, or Buttons. Otherwise, take a pass.
Screen caps I made of the gum-chewing scene. *giggle*
Watch now, this is how a man reduces a grown woman to girlish delight.
See, you can just tell it's a good scene regardless of what he's saying.
P.S. I just remembered there were a couple of yummy gum chewing scenes in On The Waterfront too. How could I forget those?! Terry Malone is my favorite of his characters thus far and the movie is one of my top favorites. After Sayonara I'm dying to go back re-visit it.
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