Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
Amazon.ca
Originally broadcast as a 50-minute drama on Philco Television Playhouse in 1953, Marty ensured Paddy Chayefsky's status as one of the greatest writers of television's golden age. When Chayefsky, director Delbert Mann, and actor Ernest Borgnine reunited for this 90-minute film version, the play had been polished with extra scenes, further perfecting Chayefsky's timeless study of loneliness and heartbreak. And the film, in which Borgnine excels as the single, 35-year-old "fat and ugly" butcher Marty Pilletti, received well-deserved Oscars® for Best Picture, Director, Actor, and Screenplay. Although Chayefsky's central theme is the pain of being unwanted (as felt by Marty himself as well as his elderly Aunt Catherine, who's become a burden to her married daughter), the film is never somber or depressing, and achieves a rare quality of honesty, humor, and hopefulness without resorting to artifice or sentiment.
Marty's just about given up on love when he meets plain-looking Clara (Betsy Blair), a 29-year-old teacher who's endured similar cycles of rejection. Much of Marty explores the simple decency of these characters, their admirable qualities and mutual connection, and the slow escalation of self-esteem that will hold them together. Marty is a supremely compassionate film, but it's also an entertaining one, trimmed (like a good butcher's meat) of any dramatic fat. And although Blair (who earned an Oscar nomination) is superb in her role, it's worth noting that she's more conventionally "attractive" than Nancy Marchand (late of The Sopranos), who played Clara with arguably greater authenticity in the original 1953 telecast. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
MARTY
Genre: Drama
Rating: NR
Release Date: 0000-00-00
Media Type: DVD
SKU:GMDB2221890
Genre: Drama
Rating: NR
Release Date: 0000-00-00
Media Type: DVD
SKU:GMDB2221890
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By John M. Ford
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
Marty Piletti (Ernest Borgnine) is a lonely 34-year-old butcher living with his mother. He is a self-described "fat and ugly man" who is almost ready to give up on love. In an early scene we cringe at Marty's innocent desperation as he tries to get a date over the phone. "Yeah, I know it's kind of late to call for tonight. How about next Saturday...? Okay, how about the Saturday after that...? Yeah, okay. I understand."
One night at a dance Marty meets 29-year-old school teacher Clara Snyder (Betsy Blair) just after she has been heartlessly abandoned by her blind date. In his simple and direct way, Marty tries to comfort her and the two end up talking long into the night. They are both convinced they have finally found someone. But the next day the pressures of Marty's life--his family and friends--convince him not to call her back. I won't describe the ending.
This is a wonderful film which captures the loneliness and self-doubt we have all felt and portrays two lives that have been all but overwhelmed by it. And it offers hope, however uncertain. The acting is first-rate and the dialogue is memorable. I strongly recommend it. It may be particularly enjoyable to fans of Only the Lonely, which has a very similar basic plot.
One night at a dance Marty meets 29-year-old school teacher Clara Snyder (Betsy Blair) just after she has been heartlessly abandoned by her blind date. In his simple and direct way, Marty tries to comfort her and the two end up talking long into the night. They are both convinced they have finally found someone. But the next day the pressures of Marty's life--his family and friends--convince him not to call her back. I won't describe the ending.
This is a wonderful film which captures the loneliness and self-doubt we have all felt and portrays two lives that have been all but overwhelmed by it. And it offers hope, however uncertain. The acting is first-rate and the dialogue is memorable. I strongly recommend it. It may be particularly enjoyable to fans of Only the Lonely, which has a very similar basic plot.
By Marion
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was very pleased with the speed of service. I was equally pleased with the condition of the DVD; I watched it right away to make sure that it was in good condition.
By Kona
TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
Marty (Ernest Borgnine) is a fat, middle-aged butcher with a heart full of pain. He's been looking for a girl every Saturday night of his life and always gets his heart broken. With no reason to hope, he decides to go to a dancehall with his buddy and see what'll happen.
I love this movie. It really is as good as the hype. It's a national treasure, in that it immortalized the lives of common folk in 1950s New York and it's very interesting to see how society has changed since then. What isn't gone is the universal agony of loneliness and Ernest Borgnine portrays this beautifully. He's loveable, profound, and makes acting look effortless; I'm glad he won the Oscar for his performance. All of the supporting cast is outstanding, especially the two ladies who play Marty's mother and aunt.
The story covers just one weekend in Marty's life and it moves quickly, with not a scene or line of dialogue that isn't perfect. Bring your hankie; this is a wonderful movie.
I love this movie. It really is as good as the hype. It's a national treasure, in that it immortalized the lives of common folk in 1950s New York and it's very interesting to see how society has changed since then. What isn't gone is the universal agony of loneliness and Ernest Borgnine portrays this beautifully. He's loveable, profound, and makes acting look effortless; I'm glad he won the Oscar for his performance. All of the supporting cast is outstanding, especially the two ladies who play Marty's mother and aunt.
The story covers just one weekend in Marty's life and it moves quickly, with not a scene or line of dialogue that isn't perfect. Bring your hankie; this is a wonderful movie.
Want to see more reviews on this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 123 reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Three Great American Romances
To my mind there are three American romances every film-lover MUST see: Annie Hall (1977), Punch-Drunk Love (2002), and Marty (1955). Read more
Published on Dec 5 2007 by Matthew Wilkinson
3.0 out of 5 stars
There is someone for everyone
This romance yarn played out in the Bronx may be dated but has meaning for men and women everywhere who question their self-esteem and doubt their ability to attract members of the... Read more
Published on Jun 18 2004
3.0 out of 5 stars
MARVELOUS MARTY WINS EVERYONE'S HEART!
"Marty" is an oddity in Academy Award winning history. It is the first and only time a movie based upon a popular television show has won Best Picture. Read more
Published on Jun 9 2004 by Nix Pix
4.0 out of 5 stars
An acting tour de force by Ernest Borgnine.
This is a simple, unadorned but effective mellowdrama. Marty is a plain, chubby, good guy. He is a "mama's boy" & is approaching middle age, alone. Read more
Published on May 25 2004 by JOHN GODFREY
5.0 out of 5 stars
See Martin Asiner's review for the plot
Martin Asiner wrote a fine review of the plot, posted September 7, 2003 on this website. It is hard to improve on. Read more
Published on May 24 2004 by Joseph H Pierre
5.0 out of 5 stars
My new Most favorite movie!!!!
Wow!!! If I had seen this years ago Ernie would've been my very favorite actor all these years.I'm only used to seeing him in "tough guy" roles. Read more
Published on Mar 23 2004 by D. M Paul
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hey, Marty!
"Marty", and other classic dramas and comedies, was the reason why I purchased a DVD player two years ago. Read more
Published on Jan 3 2004 by Mark Ebert
5.0 out of 5 stars
THERE IS SOMEONE FOR EVERYONE...
Written by the gifted Paddy Chayefsky, this is a memorable film, deftly directed by Delbert Mann. That it has a stage-like, theatrical feel to it is not surprising, considering... Read more
Published on Oct 13 2003 by Lawyeraau
5.0 out of 5 stars
MARTY: Ma! I'm Ugly! Ugly!
When director Delbert Mann recreated the television version of Paddy Chayefsky's MARTY, he could not have guessed that he was also creating a masterpiece that spoke volumes about... Read more
Published on Sep 7 2003 by Martin Asiner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love Is Sometimes Elusive.
MARTY was based on a television play written by Paddy Chayefsky. He also did the screenplay.
The story is about two people who manage to meet and fall in love after each has... Read more
Published on Jan 10 2003 by Peter Kenney
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Movies & TV > Classics > Drama
- Movies & TV > Comedy > Romantic Comedies
- Movies & TV > Drama > Classics
- Movies & TV > Drama > Love & Romance > Romance
- Movies & TV > En français > Action, Aventure, Policier et Thriller > Films historiques
- Movies & TV > En français > Drame > Drames historiques
- Movies & TV > En français > Drame > Drames romantiques
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
