Marlon Brando – for many the greatest of the great. A Streetcar Named Desire. On the Waterfront. The Godfather. Apocalypse Now.
I did not watch these films today. I watched Candy. And Superman.
Because I have seen all those other films already. And WHO ELSE watched Candy today, huh?
Candy (1968)
When Candy started I immediately thought that I was going to love this film. I could tell right away it was most likely going to be trippy, weird, and funny. I was sure of that when Richard Burton appeared, as a truly ridiculous rockstar poet character.
Then Richard Burton sexually assaulted Candy.
And then Ringo Starr appeared. As a Mexican gardener. Yes. A Mexican. Gardener.
And guess what? HE sexually assaulted Candy.
That was awful but the film still had some delightful weirdness to offer. After the assault by Ringo (which was, of course, blamed on Candy), her parents decide to send her away. On their way to the airport they are surrounded by a group of Mexican witches on motorcycles, for example. Amazing. The 60s clothes and music and hippie culture are something I love so I enjoyed that parts.
But as the film goes on Candy is sexually assaulted by Walter Matthau. Then by her uncle. Then by the surgeon who is supposed to be saving her father. Then by men in a bar where she escapes from the hospital. Then by a filmmaker who wants to take pictures of her. Then by a hunchbacked man she shows sympathy to. I think you get the picture.
AND THEN BRANDO SHOWS UP. MARLON BRANDO AS A „HINDU GURU”. IN BROWNFACE.
Brando is so ridiculous that maybe his performance crossed to a place where it becomes less offensive. I’m honestly not sure if words can do justice to what is going on in the film.
Candy is so weird and obviously influenced by counter-culture and genuinely funny at times that it is at least a little bit enjoyable. But the fact that Candy (the character) is THAT sexualized and is assaulted THAT MANY times kind of ruins the experience.
Superman (1978)
The 1978 film is, as one might figure out, the origin story of the most famous superhero. Marlon Brando plays Superman’s father, Jor-El. He sends his son to Earth to protect him. There, he is adopted by Glenn Ford and his wife and assumes a human identity of Clark Kent. He possesses superpowers of super speed and super strength. Also he can fly. As an adult he works undercover as a journalist while also saving the Earth as Superman.
I think that most of us in 2019 have superhero movie fatigue. I do and so I wasn’t very excited about watching Superman. But to my delight, I actually loved it.
Maybe somehow the fact that it was made in 1978, when not that many superhero films were being produced, influenced my enjoyment of the film and somehow made it seem fresh. It was really joyful and fun – like an adventure superhero film should be. Plus, I loved the cinematography and the colours and the 70s special effects. And Margot Kidder. I’ve loved Margot Kidder ever since I saw her in Black Christmas.
Marlon Brando’s role is important but not big, he shows up only in the first twenty minutes or so, and then makes a cameo. But it’s interesting to think of this role as a kind of precursor of all the big stars of today showing up in Marvel movies in secondary roles.
Today I only watched two films but I need to chill sometimes. Four-five film days will most likely return sometime this month. Now I need to catch up on my reading.
Swingin' at the Seance 