Marlon Brando Meets His Maker

Elspode · 07-02-2004, 11:17 AM

OK...so Brando, not unlike his predecessor Orson Welles, may have ended his career as a broad and self-parodying shadow of himself. Maybe his eccentricities were a bit above and beyond. Perhaps the fact that he had his dialogue read to him in an in-ear monitor in his final films showed a lack of dedication to his craft.

Maybe there were a lot of things that were irritating and creepy about Marlon Brando, but then that was always the point, wasn't it?

Brando died today at the age of 80, leaving behind him a legacy of some of the most powerful and important performances in American film. He played some of the most important roles in film history - Stanley Kowalski, Don Corleone, Terry Malloy...hell, even Jor-El, father of Kal-El, better known to us as Superman. Brando played his parts with seething anger and energy hitherto unknown to the American film audience that was far more used to seeing bliss and fantasy played out on their movie screens. In parallel with the efforts of his contemporary James Dean, Brando's most seminal roles showed the gritty and realistic side of life in America, the side that nice people just didn't care to see or know about. He uttered some of the most memorable lines in film - "I coulda been a contender"... "Stella!"... "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse"...lines that have become a part of the English language vernacular, permanently embedded in our pop culture.

Youthful angst and rebellion roles segued into mature, commanding characters; people who demanded and received respect, either by dint of physical power, or through the force of sheer presence, sheer will. Indeed, so univerally known and recognized was the force of nature that was Brando, that he even managed to pull off a cunning, loving self-parody in "The Freshman", portraying a Mafioso with a weakness for endangered animals, and a likeness of Don Corleone.

Brando typified the love-hate relationship that we, the public, have with some of our actors. We admired his work, yet we made him the butt of "has-been" jokes. We quote his dialogue, yet we shun his foibles. Are we fickle? No...we simply are responding to the power and skill that some of our greatest are capable of displaying. We are always, for performers like Brando, a responsive audience, whether in the theater or while reading the latest scandal sheet.

Brando was one of a kind, and perhaps the finest actor of his generation. There is an empty pair of shoes somewhere in Hollywood that may never be filled again.

SteveDallas · 07-02-2004, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Elspode
hell, even Jor-El, father of Kal-El, better known to us as Superman. Brando played his parts with seething anger and energy

Apparently (I get this from the director's commentary from the Superman: The Movie DVD) they wanted Jor-El to have a spit curl since the Superman of the comic books had one and they were going to use the same look in the movie.... and Brando balked! (I gather he was eventually convinced.)

Beestie · 07-02-2004, 12:24 PM

By co-incidence, I had just read an
article about Brando yesterday in the New York Post.

Apparently, he was $20M in debt and living in a one-room bungalow on government assistance. Shocking.

Its sad what happened to his children (see article) and how things turned out for him.

Radar · 07-02-2004, 04:39 PM

It's a sad day for movie fans. He was one of the greats and he will be missed.

Crimson Ghost · 07-02-2004, 09:50 PM

Brando didn't want the spit-curl, but it seems that it's easy to get a Rolex on Krypton.
Watch the scene where Jor-El places Kal-El in the ship, and you'll see what I mean.

blue · 07-02-2004, 11:20 PM

I don't get the mourning? I can see where true fans of his work would be saddened by the news, but a millionaire (lost it all? 20 mil in debt? that's even worse) who had fame and fortune AND lived to a ripe old age?

Why are we sad again?

richlevy · 07-03-2004, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by blue
I don't get the mourning? I can see where true fans of his work would be saddened by the news, but a millionaire (lost it all? 20 mil in debt? that's even worse) who had fame and fortune AND lived to a ripe old age?

Why are we sad again?

Also married to 3 beautiful women. And that's not counting the countless other women he knew. He played hard and had a long life.

wolf · 07-03-2004, 01:14 AM

Don't forget "two fucked up children."

xoxoxoBruce · 07-03-2004, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by richlevy

And that's not counting the countless other women he knew.

And men.

07-02-2004, 11:17 AM	#1
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Marlon Brando Meets His Maker OK...so Brando, not unlike his predecessor Orson Welles, may have ended his career as a broad and self-parodying shadow of himself. Maybe his eccentricities were a bit above and beyond. Perhaps the fact that he had his dialogue read to him in an in-ear monitor in his final films showed a lack of dedication to his craft. Maybe there were a lot of things that were irritating and creepy about Marlon Brando, but then that was always the point, wasn't it? Brando died today at the age of 80, leaving behind him a legacy of some of the most powerful and important performances in American film. He played some of the most important roles in film history - Stanley Kowalski, Don Corleone, Terry Malloy...hell, even Jor-El, father of Kal-El, better known to us as Superman. Brando played his parts with seething anger and energy hitherto unknown to the American film audience that was far more used to seeing bliss and fantasy played out on their movie screens. In parallel with the efforts of his contemporary James Dean, Brando's most seminal roles showed the gritty and realistic side of life in America, the side that nice people just didn't care to see or know about. He uttered some of the most memorable lines in film - "I coulda been a contender"... "Stella!"... "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse"...lines that have become a part of the English language vernacular, permanently embedded in our pop culture. Youthful angst and rebellion roles segued into mature, commanding characters; people who demanded and received respect, either by dint of physical power, or through the force of sheer presence, sheer will. Indeed, so univerally known and recognized was the force of nature that was Brando, that he even managed to pull off a cunning, loving self-parody in "The Freshman", portraying a Mafioso with a weakness for endangered animals, and a likeness of Don Corleone. Brando typified the love-hate relationship that we, the public, have with some of our actors. We admired his work, yet we made him the butt of "has-been" jokes. We quote his dialogue, yet we shun his foibles. Are we fickle? No...we simply are responding to the power and skill that some of our greatest are capable of displaying. We are always, for performers like Brando, a responsive audience, whether in the theater or while reading the latest scandal sheet. Brando was one of a kind, and perhaps the finest actor of his generation. There is an empty pair of shoes somewhere in Hollywood that may never be filled again. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

07-02-2004, 12:24 PM	#3
Beestie -◊\|≡·∙■·∙≡\|◊- Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Parts unknown. Posts: 4,081	By co-incidence, I had just read an article about Brando yesterday in the New York Post. Apparently, he was $20M in debt and living in a one-room bungalow on government assistance. Shocking. Its sad what happened to his children (see article) and how things turned out for him. __________________ ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦

07-02-2004, 04:39 PM	#4
Radar Constitutional Scholar Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 4,006	It's a sad day for movie fans. He was one of the greats and he will be missed. __________________ "I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death." - George Carlin

07-02-2004, 09:50 PM	#5
Crimson Ghost Larger than life and twice as ugly. Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,264	Brando didn't want the spit-curl, but it seems that it's easy to get a Rolex on Krypton. Watch the scene where Jor-El places Kal-El in the ship, and you'll see what I mean. __________________ We must all go through a rite of passage. It must be physical, it must be painful, and it must leave a mark. I have no knowledge of the events which you are describing, and if I did have knowledge of them, I would be unable to discuss them with you now or at any future period. Don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years

07-02-2004, 11:20 PM	#6
blue Operations Operative Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Northern WI Posts: 739	I don't get the mourning? I can see where true fans of his work would be saddened by the news, but a millionaire (lost it all? 20 mil in debt? that's even worse) who had fame and fortune AND lived to a ripe old age? Why are we sad again? __________________ If you spot a tornado, always remember to point at it, yell "tornado!", and run like hell.

07-03-2004, 01:14 AM	#8
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Don't forget "two fucked up children." __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

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