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    Marty

    Reviewed by
    pietroantoni@

    Ernest Borgnine was a journeyman actor often the HEAVY before landing the part of MARTY in Delbert Mann's Oscar Winning film. Marty is based on a television drama starring Rod Steiger, written by Paddy Chayefsky. The film is so down to earth and sincere, a real slice of life of the not so handsome and not so beautiful people in the big city, one of the boroughs of New York.

    In about 90 minutes, one gets the whole life scheme of two friends, a family, a man and a woman meeting at a dance hall, a connection, miscommunication... all making for a wonderful film, a film of true flesh and blood, beautifully played by the entire cast, right down to the minor roles. Esther Minciotti as Marty's mother is the embodiment of every Italian mother I know. Joe Mantell as Marty's friend richly deserved his Oscar nomination as did Betsy Blair as the shy, not so pretty young lady with whom Marty gets involved. Augusta Ciolli as Marty's ever complaining aunt is such a rich creation as I literally see it all around my Italian roots. And then there is BORGNINE who took home the Oscar as Best Actor of 1955 beating out James Cagney in 'Love Me or Leave Me', James Dean in 'East of Eden', Frank Sinatra in ' Man with the Golden Arm' and Spencer Tracy in 'Bad Day at Bad Rock', all truly great performances which I have seen several times. I would say the Borgnine victory must have come as a big surprise to most though it was a very deserving victory.

    It was a triumph for Italians in 1955 as the Italian Borgnine and the earthy, Italian great Anna Magnani took the Oscar as Best Actress for 'The Rose Tattoo'. Oscar wins for these two giants changed their lives and careers forever. What is truly amazing is that Borgnine got the role as Rod Steiger, the original Marty, was filming Oklahoma. Gary Cooper, Burt Lancaster and Caesar Romero were considered for the role, but one woman's astute observation: " that Borgnine possessed great tender appeal in his face," swayed producer Harold Hecht even though he was only known for a gangster, killer, and a man who got killed in five films before Marty.

    Borgnine went on to a very long, healthy career working well into his 90's, ending just a year or two before his death at 95. He got amazing roles but nothing could ever touch the charm and magic of Marty. As that party woman stated he had the most tender of faces, was the most genteel of men and delivered a multi-layered performance that will never be forgotten. Such a small, simple film changed Academy views forever as many other small films, some making very little money, went on to win big at the Oscars.

    10
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    pietroantoni@  15.7.2015 age: 36-49 14,551 reviews

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