There's a reason why the role of Stanley Kowalski made the 27-year-old Marlon Brando's career, and it's pretty evident from the first time he appears. He struts into his apartment, unfairly handsome and exuding a raw, masculine sexual energy as he changes shirts and makes small talk -- poor, delicate Blanche never had a chance. Brando as Kowalski aggressively commands the physical space, casually flirting with Blanche and forcing her to cling tighter and tighter to her comfort zone until she hardly knows where to look. Like the rest of his actions throughout the film, this machismo is an attempt to avoid feelings of inadequacy, a power play to maintain control over his surroundings, including his pregnant wife Stella and her tragically unstable sister Blanche.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
