A Streetcar Named Desire: Movie Analysis

Tennessee Williams in his play A Streetcar Named Desire explores the natural state of man and his primitive desires and actions. Through his characters, Stanley and Blanche, he shows how the two sides of man’s natural state. William’s goal is shown in the 1951 production of the play starring Marlon Brando and Vivian Leigh. In this production the play is acted out in a way that allows all audiences to grasp the underlying theme while remaining entertaining and engaging to the audience. The acting was one of the greatest attributes of the production. Although this movie had a relatively low budget by Hollywood standards the director was lucky enough to have two actors who would come to fame in the own rights act in this movie while they were still young and …show more content…
The director, Eliah Kazan, although never as famous as the actors Brando and Leigh, did make a number of contributions to the Hollywood roster including On the Waterfront and East of Eden. He followed standard practices of the time and had very few cuts in the film put into A Streetcar Named Desire. Although there is no real reason while cuts have increased since the 50’s, the lack of cuts and the slow panning of the camera give the movie a slow and relaxed feeling. This, although accidental helps the modern audience better appreciate the play. The slow movement gives the audience the impression that the play takes place in the past. If there were modern cuts and movements the feel of the 1930’s would be gone. The slow movements also applies to the characters themselves. Blanche moves very fluidly but also slow and intentionally. This compliments her southern belle attitude. Stanley, on the other hand, this moves quickly and somewhat sporadically, this way he can offset the belle attitude. This gives the impression that he has a wild and unrefined side that is in direct opposition to Blanche’s high class, refined