I thoroughly enjoyed Marty‘s sweet, simplistic story and its depiction of two kindhearted, sensitive souls finding each other despite the cacophony of life.
It always amazes me when someone who self-identifies as a “film fan” refuses to watch a movie that’s filmed in black and white. To disavow movies simply because they “look old” is to miss out on a wide range of perspectives, history, and knowledge. Not to sound like a complete fuddy duddy, but I enjoy watching older films because its a window to a simpler world that I’ll never get to experience. It’s the closest thing to time travel that actually exists. Sometimes, though, you’ll watch an older film and realize that some things really don’t change. That happened when I watched 1955’s Marty, starring Ernest Borgnine and Betsy Blair.
Marty revolves around Marty Piletti (Borgnine), a 34-year-old Bronx butcher who is constantly being hounded by his friends, family, and customers about the fact that he’s not married. His brothers and sisters are all married with children. Marty has resigned himself to the fact that he’ll be a bachelor forever. By chance, he meets Clara (Blair,) a 29-year-old teacher, at a local dance hall. She shares Marty’s bad luck at romance and the two hit it off. But the same friends and family that want to see Marty get married seem to be hesitant about Clara for a variety of reasons.
Written by Paddy Chayefsky (Network), Marty is completely relatable 70 years later. Much more so than what passes for romance in films these days. Ernest Borgnine’s Marty is not a chiseled male model but a self-described heavy-set “dog” of a man. Betsy Blair’s Clara isn’t a supermodel but a rather shy, plain-looking woman. Both are tired of being overlooked in a superficial dating scene that favors looks over all else.
Marty is a very simple story buoyed by stellar performances from Borgnine and Blair. Borgnine’s energetic performance perfectly captures his character’s turbulent and emotional personality. Blair, who doesn’t get as much screen time, delivers a more nuanced portrayal of Clara. When they’re together, you can’t help but hope things work out between the two of them.
I would be remiss if I didn’t point out the outstanding supporting cast as well. They’re integral in fleshing out Marty’s close-knit community of friends and family. Esther Minciotti, as Marty’s mother, is particularly noteworthy, especially in the scenes she share’s with Augusta Ciolli, as Virginia, as they discuss the trappings of old age.
I thoroughly enjoyed Marty‘s sweet, simplistic story and its depiction of two kindhearted, sensitive souls finding each other despite the cacophony of life. It may be old-fashioned but it’s still one of the best romantic films I’ve seen. My highest recommendation.
5.0 out of 5.0 stars
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