On the Waterfront

“On the Waterfront”, is a 1954 classic which was based on the articles by Malcolm Johnson, who wrote about corrupt unions on the docks of New York. This movie mainly focused on the ideas of the characters moral implications and the struggle for human dignity. The main character, Terry Malloy, played by the actor Marlon Brando is an ex-boxer that gets a job with the mob because of his brother Charley Malloy.

The movie really focuses on the transitions that Terry made to become the person that he knew he should be. At the beginning, he is just this little obedient guy that actually takes part in the murdering of his own friend, which shows that he is timid and has no respect for himself. He follows the mob leader Johnny Friendly, who is the symbol of corruption and evil. Then he meets the sister of the man he helped kill and she changes him. She kind of symbolizes the good in all humanity. Terry is then in the middle of a giant game of tug-a-war between the mob and Edie Doyle, between what is right and wrong, and between good and evil.

As Terry is stuck in between what is right and wrong, he is guided by the town father. Father Barry, who is my personal favorite character, is the symbol of god and justice. He pretty much made the entire movie great and worth watching. Karl Malden’s acting was the best in the movie. Even though he wasn’t the main character, he was the deciding factor in Terry’s struggle.

The only part of the movie that I really did not understand is why did Terry and all the other workers continue to work for the mob. After he had been brutalized and beaten to a half inch of his life, he continues to work for the mob. I really expected them to all just walk away from the whole thing and go on strike. You would think that would hurt the mob more then going back to work for them, but they had a different strategy.

In final, I believe that this movie is trying to tell us not to conform to evil, but fight it. We cannot stand by and watch our fellow brothers and sisters get hurt and killed. We have to stand up for ourselves and do god’s work. Even if our lives are in danger, we need to what is right.