Marty (1955)

10 Stars

This is how good this movie really is. I wish we could go up to 10 Stars in our reviews. I'm a classic cinema buff and "Marty" is a must-have in anyone's movie collection. From the writing to the directing to Ernest Borgnine's acting = all I can say is WOW. I fell in love with Marty Piletti, a homely guy with low self-esteem, a pushy Italian Mamma and a heart of gold. The true mark of a masterpiece is when the viewer is inmersed in the story and emotionally connects with the characters on screen. 'Marty' accomplishes this and more and I wish that more viewers would take the time to view gems like these.
Absolutely Amazing!!!
October 3, 2008

I Love MARTY

The movie MARTY was great. It deserved to win Best Picture Ireceived the package in 48 hours. Thank you Amazon. June 10, 2008

Heartwarming and hopeful

What a great story! This film captures the very heart of what it is to be lonely, find love, and sacrifice. I fell in love with this movie after one showing. The different elements that are in his life, exaggerate his lonesome life. Although he has a group of friends, they are living the sad, lonely, life as well. I like the fact that this new relationship mirrors his life as to what it is...and he can get a clearer picture of it and make the change. This is a great movie and I highly recommend it. May 16, 2008

enjoy the sunnyside of life

"Marty" is one of those movies that everyone can appreciate because it has such a universal message. Every time I watch this sleeper hit it makes me cry because it's uplifting and a little sentimental. Mr. Ernest Borgnine was amazing as the lonely and self-described lifelong bachelor. It was especially riveting to watch the transformation as Marty shifted from his everyday persona to his passionate and private self. Mr. Borgnine was able to turn on his different moods like a light switch or a faucet because it just happened instantaneously which such a flow.

In this movie Mr. Borgnine plays the title role of Marty, a 30 something butcher from Brooklyn. Marty still lives at home like a good Italian-Catholic boy with his widowed mama (Esther Minciotti portrayed his mother, Mrs. Theresa Piletti.) Marty has convinced himself that love is not in the cards so tries to remain complacent in his current situation. To make matters worse all of his brothers and sisters are all married and his mama will stop at nothing to get her son hitched.

Mrs. Piletti convinces her son to go out to a dance hall because as she put it, it was packed with "tomatoes." While Marty is gone, she goes and visits her sister (Augusta Ciolli plays Aunt Catherine) who is getting pushed out of her married son's and daughter-in-law's home. As Mrs. Piletti tries to convince her sister to come stay with her and leave her married son alone it soon becomes apparent that she may be the next victim to this little game. Like a cat holding onto her 9th life, both ladies will stop at nothing to remain important and feel needed by their children, but each convey a look of desperation and agony.

Meanwhile, Marty isn't having much luck. When he builds up the confidence to ask a lady to dance she politely declines. As Marty's standing around he meets a guy who has an offer for him. He'll pay Marty $5.00 (I'm assuming that in 1955 that was a lot of money?) to pretend like they're old friends and escort his girlfriend home because he wants to ditch her! Of course being the gentleman that he is, Marty doesn't play along. Marty surely knew how hurtful this little game would have been and wanted no part of it. Take special notice when Marty says no, the look on Mr. Borgnine's face says it all.

But Marty is intrigued and follows the man as he finds another sneak; but his date Clara Snyder (Betsy Blair) says that it isn't necessary because she can find her own way home. As the 2 men quickly disappear (while arguing over who's going to keep the 5 bucks) Marty follows Clara outside. She is crying. Betsy Blair portrayed the hopeless and distraught Clara perfectly. I dunno, to me she was like the female version of Marty. Anyway, it goes without saying that Marty took her in his arms and it was love at first sight.

"I'm 29," Clara whispered into Marty's ear as they were slow-dancing. She held her breath and had such a look of anticipation (like a woman gets in her 10th month of pregnancy.) But Marty didn't care about her age. Marty brings Clara back to his brownstone and tries to give her a kiss. But she was afraid; Clara didn't know how to let this man into her life because she has never trusted anyone before. "I just want a kiss," hot-tempered Marty says totally frustrated. All of a sudden Marty's mom comes in. Although she is civil to Clara, she's also somewhat icy and cold because she remembers what her sister told her and thinks that once Marty gets married she will be thrown out on the street like yesterdays garbage.

The following day, everyone tries to convince Marty that Clara is the wrong girl. When he doesn't call her Clara can be seen waiting next to the telephone with tears in her eyes. Finally, Marty comes to his senses and realizes that it doesn't matter what his mother thinks, it doesn't matter what his friends think and it doesn't matter what anyone else says. He yells to his friend Angie (Joe Mantell,) in perhpaps one of the most honest revelations and thought-provoking displays of honesty ever depicted on the big screen: All I know is I had a good time last night. I'm gonna have a good time tonight. If we have enough good times together, I'm gonna get down on my knees. I'm gonna beg that girl to marry me. If we make a party on New Year's, I got a date for that party. You don't like her? That's too bad.

"Marty" is a significant film for a myriad of reasons. It's perhaps one of the first pictures of its type that displays the social and personal problems from a guy's perspective. It's also an important movie because it showcases both a "modern" or a "young" way of thinking (Marty's/Clara's) as well as a very traditional or archaic way of thinking (by Marty's mother & aunt.) I also really enjoy this movie because it has such a positive message; it says that there is someone for everyone and never to give up no matther what anyone might say.

Incidentally, Mr. Borgnine is still very much alive. He is actually the oldest Oscar winner and in July, his autobiography, Ernie will be published! I don't watch the Oscars, the Emmys or any of those other shows because it just seems like shameless self promotion. And I am one of those people who think that celebrities and movie stars especially receive way too many awards. But Mr. Ernest Borgnine is a very rare case because in my humble opinion he truly deserves the coveted Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Marty Piletti. No one who could have given a superior depiction of this multifaceted human being than the one and only Mr. Ernest Borgnine. May 9, 2008

Surprisingly Good Film! Too Bad About the DVD!

This film is surprising because it shows that you don't need sex, non-stop action, car chases, guns and gratuitous violence in a film to have a good time watching it. The storyline is so simple and probably happens many times all over the world everyday: how to find your soulmate and so avoid the scary thought of being lonely and alone for the rest of your life? Because the theme is so universal and is identifiable to most people, you end up truly relating and feeling with Borgnine's and Blair's respective characters. This also means that the film ages well and remains entertaining for adult audiences today.

The only problem is with the dvd which is not restored. This means the picture quality is not optimal and neither is the sound. It would be good with the advent of Blu-ray for the powers that be to take this opportunity to properly restore this film with Dolby 5.1 surround options or better.

This is a very enjoyable and heartwarming film but I'd recommend waiting for a restored, remastered version to be available and to avoid this particular version. May 8, 2008

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