CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF United States 1958 Directed by Richard Brooks
Cast: Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, Burl Ives, Jack Carson
Paul Newman was one of best actors of the 1950s. Elizath Taylor was one of the best actresses during the 1950s. So what can you expect from a film from this decade where they both appear? No disappointments, they both give their best here.
There's also something very appealing with the way how the works of Tennessee Williams has turned out on the big scren. The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire, Baby Doll, Sweet Bird of Youth and Night of the Iguana have all become good movies.
The most memorable performance is by Burl Ives as dying Big Daddy himself. Surprisingly, Ives was not even 50 years old but looks as old as 70. He plays the big, blunt hardworking plantation- owner who has worked all his life to get some- where. But despited that he has only contempt for his wife Ida, for his well-behaving son Gooper and Gooper's fertile wife. His other son, Brick, is an ex-football star who has turned to drinking. The future is not all bad, since Dr. Baugh's examination has shown that Big Daddy's cancer is not terminal.
The controversy takes place between Maggie and Brick on the one hand and Gooper and his wife Mae on the other. Mae use her children (the 'no-neck monsters' to use Maggie's words) to suck up Big Daddy and to show him which couple is the most suitable to inherit the plantation. But he can't stand their cynical attention and interest in his health. But Maggie too is eager to get her hands on the plantation.
Brick, a drinker with a broken leg, has also contempt. Most of all for his wife Maggie, but also for all the greed the inheritants-to-be show, waiting for Big Daddy to die. As it turns out, Dr. Baugh hasn't told them the truth. The cancer is terminal after all.
Jack Carson seem to be an underestimated actor. He appeared in a lot of comedies or musicals but after having seen him both in this one and A Star is Born I understand that he had dramatic talent that perhaps wasn't always appreciated.
Five Academy Award Nominations include Best Actor (Newman), Best Actress (Taylor), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography and Best Director.
Mattias Thuresson mattias.thuresson@mbox300.swipnet.se 980517
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