Desire versus Deception

        In A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by Elia Kazan in 1951, based on the play A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams in 1947, the director really took the meaning of desire to extreme. Marlon Brando plays Stanley, a violent man who wears his feelings on his sleeve. Stella, Stanley's wife, was played by Kim Hunter. Stella's sister, Blanche, was depicted by Vivien Leigh. Desire was a common theme surrounding this movie. Blanche was consistently desiring young men, and new things; clothes, jewelry and men.

         Blanche was a main character who drove everyone crazy because she, herself, was crazy. She always wanted to find and meet men. She had "relations" with a student of hers, which caused her her job. She wanted to also feel desirable. She would do anything possible in order to look younger and prettier. For example, she would never turn the lights on, claiming she glow of other objects were nicer. She also took very long baths to relax and feel/smell nice. These acts allowed her to live a life full of deception.

         Another desirable figure in this film was Stanley. Blanche thought Stanley was very desirable from the moment she laid eyes upon him. As an audience, we noticed Blanche give googley eyes to Stanley. Stanley, however, did not feel the same for Blanche. Stanley was also a desirable person. I believe one reason Stella stayed with him for so long was because he was a handsome guy. Also, she desired a family and financial means to take care of her family.

        Overall, this movie was not the best movie, because I did not follow it as well, but it was nice to look at Marlon Brando. I did like the dark and deceiving cinematography by Harry Stradling; one was not sure what the mood for the next scene would be. I also liked how they showed Stanley breaking the mirror, revealing the breaking point of Blanche. The movie all tied together in the end.

Allison Armstrong

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