Rating of
4/4
Sploich Reviews Marty (1955)
Sploich - wrote on 03/06/11
I'm a pretty big fan of romance films, but most of them are either too full of love that they become weighted down in ham or they have no love and are really hard to sit through. What's interesting about this film, Marty, is that it is not a love story, but rather a like story. It isn't often that you get to see the natural progression of a relationship in film, but Marty knows exactly how it's done.
The movie is about a butcher, aptly named Marty, in his mid-30s who is constantly being told that he needs to get married. He doesn't have very high self-esteem but it's not that he hasn't tried to find somebody. One night while at a club he happens upon a woman in virtually the same predicament as himself and decides to keep her company for the night. The film centers on the two and their night together, as well as their feelings and the feelings of those around them the next day.
It's a very short and simple movie, but also a powerful one about a mature, respectable relationship. The themes of letting go and finding out what really matters in life are great and strong. It helps too that we are given such a likable main character, played by Ernest Borgnine. His performance is subtle and sweet, allowing Marty to be a regular guy without being a jerk. Betsy Blair also gives a great performance as the shy, self-contained school teacher who Marty begins to fall for. The two work well off of each other, creating an experience just as memorable and romantic as a first date should be.
While there is a concrete story, it's not a typical romance. We only see the beginnings of the relationship as the two first become accustomed to one another and we are only led to assume that everything works out in the end. That being said, I'm not complaining. I think this is a great idea because again it's something you don't see very often. It's a very important part of a relationship that most movies seem to just brush over so we can get to conflict and resolution. While there is external conflict involved, most of the conflict is internal, with the two main characters feeling neither is deserving of such a relationship. It's charming and very easy to relate to.
It's so refreshing that a studio took a chance with an actor like Ernest Borgnine and placed him in a role like his in Marty. It propelled his career and allowed him to become one of the most prolific actors of his time. It's sort of a shame, however, that this film has sort of been shuffled along and forgotten by most today. Perhaps Borgnine recently having been given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Screen Actors Guild will bring this gem back into the spotlight.
