One of the films I enjoyed for Mr. March's August birthday celebration is the film which garnered him his fifth Academy Award nomination. That film, which I caught for the very first time and which is one of my 5-star film discoveries of the year, is 1951's Death of a Salesman. Based on the Arthur Miller play of the same name, Death of a Salesman is a powerful, moving, emotionally-charged drama also starring Midred Dunnock, Kevin McCarthy, and Cameron Mitchell.
The salesman in Death of a Salesman is 60+ year-old Willy Loman (Fredric March), who after 36 years with his company, has just been removed from salary and put on straight commission. Although Willy resides in New York, he is in charge of a New England route and is, thus, on the road every week. His wife, Linda (Mildred Dunnock), worried because Willy's mind wanders and he has nearly had a car crash, suggests that he approach his boss about working out of the New York office instead.
Discontent with how his life has turned out, Willy spends much of his time reminiscing about former "good" days and thinking about his brother's success in Alaska. Beyond that, as Linda confides to their sons, Willy has been borrowing $50 a week from a neighbor and pretending it is his pay. He also has been trying to kill himself.
Willy and Linda's two adult sons, Hap (Cameron Mitchell) and Biff (Kevin McCarthy), return home for a visit, and immediately, there is strife between Biff and his father. Though he showed promise as an athlete when in high school, Biff has been irresponsible and unmotivated since then, and he has never amounted to anything in Willy's eyes. Willy has no idea that it was he, himself, who set Biff on the path of restlessness.
The situation soon reaches a crisis point---Willy asks about being given a local position...Biff meets with an old employer, hoping he will invest in a business venture...Hap abandons his father at a restaurant after picking up girls...Biff declares his father a fake...and Linda laces into her sons for their disrespect of their father. And overriding it all is the fact that Willy cannot accept that he is just an ordinary man with ordinary sons. How it all plays out is the balance of the film.
Death of a Salesman has enjoyed decades of success both on the screen and on the stage. I have never seen any of the other versions and, in fact, had no knowledge even of the story until my viewing of this film. Therefore, I am unable to compare one version to another---my review is based solely on what I saw in this film. And what I saw here was completely sensational. This is a powerful "message" movie, as it takes on some very deep, profound subjects...such as what constitutes success, acceptance of one's children for who they are, the yearning for parental approval, and the plight of aging workers.
While the acting of everyone in this film is fantastic, Fredric March and Kevin McCarthy moved me in an especially powerful way. I could relate to Mr. McCarthy's character and, thus, was deeply touched by him. I thought Mr. McCarthy's portrayal was heartfelt and completely real. As for Mr. March...his portrayal of Willy Loman blew me away. I already thought he was a sensational actor, but he was completely brilliant here. This was the year which Humphrey Bogart won the Academy Award (for The African Queen), and I have long-said that I thought Mr. Bogart ought to have won for other films (namely Casablanca and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, for which he wasn't even nominated), but that Montgomery Clift ought to have won in 1951 (for A Place in the Sun). Then, I saw Detective Story, and I thought Kirk Douglas was fantastic. Though he didn't even garner a nomination, he could have given Mr. Clift a run for his money. Now that I have seen Death of a Salesman, I definitely believe it ought not to have been Mr. Bogart's year. Hands-down, I think Fredric March's portrayal of Willy Loman was the performance of the year. (Even beating out my beloved Monty in my all-time favorite movie.)
This film is not out on DVD, and I don't believe TCM airs it very often. At least, I don't recall seeing it on their schedule, and since I generally record most Fredric March films, I'm usually pretty observant of his name in a cast. For those reasons, this has been a difficult film to track down, but I finally found it on YouTube (in parts). Click HERE for part 1. Definitely try to see this amazing and powerful film.
Happy viewing!!
I'm glad it's on youtube, I'll hurry up and watch it before it gets deleted! We had to study this play in high school but I still don't remember the entire story line. We listened to the audio only so it was hard to focus. It sounds really good though and I'll definitely be watching it!
ReplyDeleteGreat review Patti:)
Victoria, with "Death of a Salesman" being such an important part of American literary history, I'm rather surprised that my high school English teacher didn't delve into this. (He did OD on Tennessee Williams, however.) This story never crossed my radar until now...at 50 years of age. Funny, huh?
DeleteI am with you on not focusing well when it is just audio. I am a visual learner, so I need to SEE as well as hear.
The definitive (and original) Loman in Death of a Salesman was Lee J. Cobb - it practically became his signature role (he played him 742 times). His run in the role on Broadway received rave reviews and he received an Emmy for it when the play was filmed and broadcast on CBS television in 1966. Thankfully the taping of that broadcast was preserved and released on DVD - it's one of my most treasured discs! Cobb's performance is nothing short of electrifying. Mildred Dunnock, who played Mrs Loman in the 1951 film version reprises the role in the TV version. Also starring: a very young James Farentino and a very young Gene Wilder.
ReplyDeleteOfcourse calling Lee J. Cobb the best Loman has nothing to do with the fact that Cobb is my favourite actor.
Well...maybe it does hehe...
I wonder why Mr. Cobb didn't play the part in the film version? It's not as if he didn't do film work. I wonder, was he asked and declined...or was he overlooked? At any rate, Johan, I can certainly appreciate your passion for Mr. Cobb and his portrayal of Willy Loman. It would make it nearly impossible for you to accept anyone else in the role. As for me, since I had never seen any other versions (nor even knew the story) and, therefore, had nothing to compare it to, Mr. March was completely magnificent. If you have never seen that version, I do recommend it. I think you will agree that Mr. March was terrific---though, of course, he will have brought his interpretation of the character (not Mr. Cobb's) to the role.
DeleteSince several of my favorite film actors were also stage actors, I often find myself wishing that their stage performances had been filmed. What I wouldn't give to see John Garfield taking on the Joe Bonaparte role in Golden Boy (another Lee J. Cobb film/play).
This is my husband's favorite movie!!!! We really like the Dustin Hoffman version with John Malkovic. (Totally butchering the spelling?) I have to be in the right mood to watch it as it is so depressing but so powerfully acted. I had no idea Fredric made this movie. Thanks for the info :o) Dee
ReplyDeleteYes, it is definitely not a feel-good movie, that's for sure! However, strange bird that I am, non-feel-good movies are the ones I am most drawn to, as they usually are meaty, passionate films with stellar acting.
DeleteThis film is so deep and profound, with so much going on. I feel like I barely scratched the surface of it with one viewing. I definitely need (and want!) to watch it again.
Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI work at a retirement center as the Activities Director, and am always on the look-out for good shows for Movie Night. Thanks for this suggestion.
Lee J. Cobb's performance as Loman is considered to be the definitive interpretation of the character, but I bet March does a fabulous job. I have not seen this version but I can believe it is riveting. March is always terrific! Thanks for posting this great review.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed, Fredric March is always terrific. I've enjoyed discovering some of his lesser-known films. With regard to "Death of a Salesman," I really think I'm being objective about March's portrayal of Willie, because I've long-said that I felt Montgomery Clift deserved the Academy Award that year. However, even though "A Place in the Sun" is my all-time favorite film and even though Montgomery Clift is one of my beloveds and ahead of Mr. March in my affections, I looked at both performances and actually came away saying that March's was even greater than Clift's was (and I think Monty was spectacular!). Of course, those who have seen the original and definitive Willy through Mr. Cobb might perceive things differently, but I do think even they would be impressed with Mr. March's work.
DeleteExcellent review, Patti. We should both see the Arthur Miller play sometime.
ReplyDeleteWilly Loman is one of our great, tragic cultural icons. The play, and this film, compress many of the crushing realities of modern work and home life (i.e. the responsibilities of adulthood; the angst of growing, often rebellious teenagers) into one forceful work of timeless art.
Oh, my gosh! I had no clue that there was an older version of Death of a Salesman! I'll have to track it down now, thanks, Patti!
ReplyDeleteCarissa, this is still on YouTube, so you can catch it there. I wish TCM would air it one of these days, so I can record it to a disc and not have to watch it in parts, which is how it is on YouTube. I never see it on their schedule, though.
DeleteWatching a movie in 10 different parts is a bit annoying, but it's better than nothing. We beggars can't be choosers. It's worth watching any way we can get it!