ON THE WATERFRONT

1. ON THE WATERFRONT Confession and Catharsis

2. Catharsis • release, cleansing, purging, liberation

3. The previous scene… • The scene before Johnny Friendly threatens Charley we are shown the Crime Commission Detective talking to Terry on the roof • He “tricks” Terry into explaining how he could have won his final fight but he was ‘Doing a favour for some pals’ • Important that during this conversation he states that ‘If I’d have put him down I would have had the title shot. I was ready that night’

4. The previous scene… • What are the symbolic references in this scene? How can we read more into this? • This scene is important in Terry’s development and ‘moral awakening’ as it makes him aware of what Johnny Friendly has done to him during his life. What he states in this scene shows how he could have been a different person. Even though he hasn’t quite made that connection yet.

5. Charley the ‘deep thinker’ • Charley stands out in this scene. He isn’t wearing his hat and his scarf is undone at his neck. He looks a bit dishevelled. • He is shown in the centre of the shot – demonstrating the pressure that has been placed upon him. • Some humanity here? That he does have some love for his brother and not just blindly loyal to the mob. • Johnny Friendly looks calm and comfortable. Laid back in his chair, smoking a cigar, reading his newspaper. He is still assured and comfortable in his power. • He is given no support or eye contact from the other men after Johnny Friendly has delivered his orders. Showing that lack of true loyalty here in the mob.

6. Charley the ‘deep thinker’ • ‘You can have it your way or you can have it his way but you can’t have it both ways.’ • Charley too is shown to have a choice here. This is important as Terry is not the only character to has to make choices in the film. Also not the only character to have to opportunity for a ‘moral awakening’

8. The Cab • The cab in confined and dark again showing the pressure of the situation. Both men are trapped until they make a decision about what they are going to do. • They are also isolated from the outside world. The blinds are closed on the back window. Showing that this is the place away from everyone else where they will decide. • The light flickers in an out of the scene. What does this indicate!? (We talked about it yesterday!)

10. The Cab • Charley: ‘The guys think you shouldn’t be on the outside so much but a little on the inside. I have a few things for you at the docks.’ • Terry: ‘A steady job a couple extra potatoes, that’s all I want.’ • Charley tries to convince Terry to choose the mobs side. • Terry firmly rejects the offer to be more on the inside – he has clearly decided he doesn’t want to have an

11. Personal Sacrifice • ‘There’s more to this that I thought, Charley. I’m telling you there’s a lot more.’ • ‘You don’t understand I could have had class. I could have been a contender. I could have been somebody. Instead of a bum which is what I am.’ • ‘It was you Charley’ • Here Terry gets angry and frustrated as he can finally see what Johnny Friendly has done to him. That he personally has made sacrifices to keep him in power and that these sacrifices have disadvantaged him.

12. Terry’s Confidence • It is important to note how Terry is able to confidently assert himself in this scene. He isn’t the mumbling person he was in the beginning of the film. He has gained some power and awareness.

13. Close Up • There are close up shots of both Terry and Charley’s face in this scene when they both make the realisation about the truth of the situation and also the decision about what they are going to do.

14. In the Cab • Charley gives Terry the gun as his one final act guidance still being the big brother to Terry and trying to look out for him. • He is then shown to slump over – defeated before we are shown a close up of the cab driver who is a spy for Johnny Friendly. The music changes and begins to build in momentum signalling danger.