MovieChat Forums > On the Waterfront (1954) Discussion > The best performance was by Lee J. Cobb

The best performance was by Lee J. Cobb

posted 16 years ago by edwardholub
16 replies | jump to latest

After the dust settles and the novelty of Brando's performance wears off or worse: is parodied so much, I'd have to say that Cobb gave the best performance in the film. Johnny Friendly was the main villain of the piece, but Cobb chose to humanize him. He could be mean and threatening, true, but he could also be charming and fatherly to those he valued. It's the humanization of the VILLIAN that makes the film as powerful as it is.

There is no "off" position on the genius switch.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] whalekerry 15 years ago

I disagree with both..Brando gave the best performance by far. I could feel the emtions he was going through because of his facial expressions and just a look in his eyes..now I've never felt like this from a performance to actually feel the emotions of a character...now if that's not acting at its best then I don't know what is. Second I would choose Rob Steiger for the cab scene alone..a one on one with Brando and he still managed to impress...a LOT...all four performances are great though...and they all got nominated...including Eva so that's 5 nominations..we don't see that great a cast anymore.

"I'm glad it's you." _Paul Newman (RIP)
Eyes Wide Shut deserves more recognition.

[–] ladycodd 15 years ago

Waelkhairy88, I completely agree with your assessment of Brando's performance. It was so wonderful that it is difficult to find the right words to describe it in total. He created a complete complex character and he became that character down to the last detail; and then grew that character amid various changes. I loved the scene when he was walking with Eva Marie Saint and he picked up her glove and took off some twigs and dirt that clung to the glove, and after he completed that he put the glove on---all the while delivering his dialogue. Brando was the consumate actor...the best there ever was. The only one who comes close to him is Mickey Rourke, who recently showed his mettle in The Wrestler, with the same kind of performance,...and one I might add for which he should have received the Oscar. It is interesting that when Elia Kazan saw Mickey Rourke's first audition for the Actor's Studio, Kazan remarked that it was the best student audition he had seen in thirty years...everyone knew who he was referring to thirty years earlier!!By the way Rourke was accepted on his first try.

[–] aciolino 15 years ago

I have always felt that the success of this film rested upon the extraordinary performances of every one in the film, with the exception of Marlon Brando whom I find more and more pretentious, self-absorbed, and un-natural, as time goes by.

Cobb, Malden, Steiger, could all have won Oscars. Malden's in particular is a performance for the ages.

[–] Yojimbo28 15 years ago

All 3 of the supporting actors were tremendous. If only one of them would have been nominated, I'm sure they would have won the Oscar. But of course, Cobb, Steiger, and Malden were all nominated, so I think they probably split the vote, allowing the award to go to Edmond O'Brien. I don't know, I probably shouldn't say that because I never saw The Barefoot Contessa, so maybe O'Brien deserved the award, but I still think that's what happened.

[–] Chaarles 15 years ago

For me, I couldn't say Cobb's performance was the best of all those in the film, I would certainly agree his was one the film's really great performances.

He did some great work generally. He's one of those actors who keeps cropping up in 'supporting roles' or ensemble pieces and you find yourself remembering what a terrific actor he was. Like Malden too. Always a pleasure to see their work.

[–] mike-848 15 years ago

John Friendly is one of the best screen villans ever. Cobb was believable.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] lizcarlo87 13 years ago

I liked everybody but Malden stuckout to me.

[–] boone727 13 years ago

This movie probably has one of the best ensemble casts ever, but Brando is still the star of this movie. Cobb's best performance was in 12 Angry Men, IMO.