I feel a bit weird about this, because I don't like to be all controlling over what goes on in the comments section: but please: if there are Marlon Brando haters out there: Keep it to yourself (on this blog anyway), or go find another blog to post about it. Or if you hated him, but can still see how others loved him, and you want to talk about THAT - then that's fine, you can post about that. But I don't need to give a platform to "the other side". Not right now. I loved that man, he's an idol - and I want to keep the comments in line with that.
Please cooperate. I would greatly appreciate it.
Posted by sheilaWhen someone like this passes away, there's little else to do but try and remember the living history we have of him. There are very few artists in the world that you can honestly say, changed the face of acting. I don't care if you loved him, or hated him, that is a fact.
Before Marlon, we were on the cusp of melodrama (acting physically with hands, heads, torso) instead of adding heart, truth, and head to the craft. Not that the style wasn't honest and heartfelt, there were some brilliant performances, brilliant. But we knew we were changing as actors, and as audience members.
Then Brando happened. And everything was up for grabs. There was a bellow, and a huff, and a great wind that took us from being complacent in our seats, to taking notice of the rage, and pain, and heart ache happening up on the stage. He brought that with him, and all of his other baggage. It stunned us, and shocked us, and amazed us, and tickled us, and from the moment he yelled to Stella as she clung pathetically to the iron barred staircase, we were transported to an emotional place we never thought was possible.
He not only redefined HOW to act, he OWNED it.
He will always be a legend and a champion. Always. We have proof of that. Rent "Streetcar" then rent "Godfather". Tell me they're the same person.
I dare you.
Posted by: Alex at July 2, 2004 07:02 PMHepburn, now Brando.. thank God we still have The Rock.
I know.. but it just feels so heavy inside... I sort of feel I have to laugh, not so I don't cry - I'm fine with crying - but so I don't get crushed under my own weight at times like this. What a stupid, stupid man I am to let the loss of someone I've never met hit me like this while I hardly know my next door neighbor at all.
Then again, what was Brando's gift if not making us feel like we knew him, like we understood him, like he was real people in the way we like to think that we are real people.
Posted by: Big Dan at July 3, 2004 12:02 AMBig Dan : "Thank God we still have The Rock." You just made coffee come out my nose. HOT coffee.
Posted by: Emily at July 3, 2004 10:05 AMEmily,
These are the dangers we face when we dare comment on popular culture, I'm afraid.
Posted by: Big Dan at July 3, 2004 09:16 PM