Marty

Movies from the 1950's revolved on glamorous stars and improbable plots. It wasn't until the decade started coming to an end when movies from that time period became a little less glamorous and a little more down to earth.

One such example of a movie injected with realism is Marty, which focuses on lonely butcher Mary Piletti (Ernest Borgnine). His friends and family keep asking him when he'll get married, a question he has heard way too often. Then he meets schoolteacher Clara Synder (Betsy Blair).

Borgnine and Blair aren't as glamorous as, say, Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, but that's what makes Marty work. Looks aren't everything to make a relationship work. It shows how simple romance really is.

Borgnine won the Oscar for his work, but bear in mind he was up against some tough competition (his competitors were Spencer Tracy, James Cagney, Frank Sinatra and James Dean). Some have cried "Foul!" for his win, but I think Borgnine gives the most honest performance Hollywood has to offer.

Marty is definitely one of the most enjoyable movies I've seen in recent memory. Some overlook it because it's considered one of the lesser Best Picture winners. I'll say this: please don't ignore it.

My Rating: *****