New at BOP: Review: Matrix Resurrections Movie Review: Moonfall Movie Reviews: Scream The #1 Movie in America November Forecast The Many Saints of Newark October Forecast New Trivia Question All site updates Share & Save   Tweet Print this column

Like I mentioned earlier, though, none of the characters are completely pure or innocent and Maggie is no different. The audience learns early on that Maggie comes from a poor family and her newfound wealth might play a big part in why she struggles so mightily to stay with a Brick, a man who seemingly hates her. Is she a "golddigger" or just in love? We don't ever get a real, concrete answer, and Taylor makes us believe either could be the case.

Maggie is often confident but fragile, expressive but timid, hateful but loving. Like Newman, Taylor also wasn't the original choice for the role. Marilyn Monroe, Lana Turner, and Grace Kelly all were considered or turned down the role before Taylor got the nod. I consider Kelly one of the most beautiful actresses ever, but even I don't think she would have been able to capture Maggie's smoldering sexuality and emotional openness like Taylor did, who was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar.

When Tennessee Williams wrote the role of Big Daddy, he had Burl Ives in mind. This shocked the theater community as Ives was known just as a folk musician at the time, but he more than vindicated Williams' decision as he earned rave reviews for his performance.

When it came to casting the film adaptation, no one else was considered for Big Daddy. Ives, who I only knew as a singer and as the voice of Sam the Snowman inRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, was a delight in this film. His performance is full of charisma, humor, hostility, sadness, despair, and hope. Ives was a big man and occupies a lot of space when he's on screen, but even if he wasn't physically large, I still think he'd take up a lot of space - his vibrant personality seems like it would be all encompassing. Some performers just grab and hold your attention, no matter what, and Ives - just based on his portrayal of Big Daddy - strikes me as one of those performers. Big Daddy is a big character in many ways, but Ives' performance contains so many small, subtle moments, as well. It really is a remarkable performance and one that took me by complete surprise.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is essentially a film with six characters. The three performances above are the leads, but without a talented supporting cast, it would not work nearly as well as it does. Big Mama, Gooper, and Mae all play important parts in the story and all three actors perform well throughout, though they don't have anywhere near as flashy characters.

Madeliene Sherwood has, by far, the most thankless role in the cast. Mae is an annoying, jealous, scheming, and small minded person. Her character is specifically designed to antagonize Brick and Maggie and to suck up to Big Daddy. She makes snide comments about Brick's drinking and Maggie's inability to bear children. She instructs her children to sing songs about how much they love Big Daddy and how he's so wonderful.

Even if the kids genuinely believe these things - and I don't think they do, they seem like the type of kids who only care about themselves - Mae comes across as horribly desperate for Big Daddy's time and affection and it's a delight when he doesn't fall for it. Mae is the closest thing to a villain that Cat on a Hot Tin Roof has, and Sherwood, who also originated the role on Broadway, plays her perfectly.

Continued:       1       2       3       4       5