This is one of Marlon Brando's two defining roles (the other being Don Vito Corleone in the Godfather). It's an interesting set of bookends, since in this movie he's a guy on the peripheral of the mob and he ends up taking a stand against them. If I'd just heard his "I coulda been a contender" line as a soundbyte, I would have guessed it was from the Godfather and not this movie. As many years separate the roles, he sounds exactly the same even though here he is young, charming and handsome.
In some ways this movie reminded me of Call the Midwife, which takes place on the London docks instead of the New Jersey docks. The work is the same, as it how it's doled out, the presence of unions, the poverty of the workers and how easily they're exploited.
I am not a massive fan of mobster movies, but as such things go this one wasn't too bad. We were supposed to sympathize with the mob, just the guy awakening to the real danger and then trying to claw his way out.
Watched: October 14, 2018
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