On W List of Movie Reviews
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The Wild One (1953)
Rate:
8
Viewed:
2/06, 1/24
2/06:
The Wild One is a cheesy picture that's responsible for starting the outlaw motorcycle gang craze.
Not even Marlon Brando's presence can save this one. The famed star admitted later in his autobiography that the film had
aged badly and that he didn't think much of it. I hate the hooliganism aspect. Equally hard to watch is Lee Marvin who acts
like a jackass. Things are worse when it becomes apparent there's no story to be found.
All in all, it's best to regard The Wild One as a passing fad that's only interesting for historical purposes.
1/24:
I have to say now The Wild One has aged well.
Marlon Brando did call it "corny" years later, but I'm starting to see the relevance. As a former high school teacher,
I usually had an idiot troublemaker or two per class. In worse schools, I'm sure it's more. But in the movie, they're
literally everywhere.
Their behavior is annoying to deal with. I can understand how the townfolks felt, seeing that they're overwhelmed in
numbers. Some try to play nice in the hopes of them leaving quietly without causing damage. At this
point, I was going to say to call in the national guard or the military, but crime had to be committed first. Eventually, they
took matters in their own hands.
What's impressive about Marlon Brando's performance is not how he acted but what his face showed. I can tell, deep down,
there had been a series of incidents in the past that caused him to hate authority with passion. This is his quiet revenge.
Somehow, there's about 10 to 20% goodness in Johnny, but he won't yield to it; so, he has to assert his leadership in front
of the biker gang to protect his tough exterior.
Meanwhile, The Wild One is a historical movie because it was influential in starting the trend of outlaw biker
gangs, black leather wear, and sideburns. Marlon Brando is very good-looking, outfit and all. Unfortunately, he got so
attached to Johnny Strabler's persona that he would demonstrate it mightily for the rest of his life, marking the downfall
of a supremely talented actor.
All in all, The Wild One holds up well, thanks to Marlon Brando.