Short Film: Street Car named Desire

Street Car Named Desire

After watching the movie, Street Car Named Desire, address three of the following questions. You may also take the conversation in new directions. Be sure to apply concepts and vocabulary studied in this week's reading.

MUST: watch the movie answer questions throughly and refer to movie. Must use some film vocabulary.

1. In the film, audience hears the "Varsouviana Polka" played repeatedly and more frequently as the film progresses. What is the significance of this song? How does it function as a cue to the audience?

2. Blanche says, "After all, a woman's charm is fifty percent illusion." What aspects of Vivien Leigh's performance embody this statement/personality trait of Blanche's character?

3. Choose one or more main actor(s) and/or supporting actor(s) who did the finest (or worst) acting job. Defend your selection, basing your analysis on the four criteria for judging performance discussed in class and in your text.

4. Tennessee Williams thought that Marlon Brando's portrayal of Stanley created a far more complex character. For example, Stanley is violent, abusive, rude, and a sexual predator; however, Marlon Brandon is typically considered to be very attractive, and he is remembered for his seemingly genuine plea to his wife to return home after a dispute. Does his

sex appeal and emotional performance complicate your opinion of Stanley?

5. What is it about this film that has you still thinking about it?

Film Vocabulary Cinematic language Shot Editing Cut Fade in/fade out Cutting on action Implicit meaning Explicit meaning Cultural Invisibility Form Theme Motif Point of view Content Form Formalism Cinematic language Mediation Verisimilitude Realism Anti-realism Mise-en-scene Narrative

Frame Shot Sequence Scene Factual film

Instructional film Persuasive film Propaganda film Direct cinema Stream of consciousness Genre Stanislavsky system method acting typecasting casting screen test major role character role distancing effect or alienation effect improvisation