Some Thoughts on the late Karl Malden
-
-
- thefilmtalk
- added this
So, here’s the thing about Karl Malden.
Best role? Playing a liberationist priest in ‘On the Waterfront’. The priest may not know that he’s a liberationist, but Malden does. It’s an astonishing, grounded, fiery performance of balanced light and heat. It makes you want to believe.
Last role? Playing a priest in ‘The West Wing’. I always liked to think that this was how his ‘Waterfront’ character ended up – giving pastoral advice to Presidents. Fifty years on, he’s mellowed, but the theology hasn’t developed any nuance; which, in his case, is only a good thing: Love your neighbor. Love your enemy. Do good to those who persecute you. Don’t take no for an answer when the world is crying out for yes.
(more thoughts on Karl can be found by clicking the link above)
Best role? Playing a liberationist priest in ‘On the Waterfront’. The priest may not know that he’s a liberationist, but Malden does. It’s an astonishing, grounded, fiery performance of balanced light and heat. It makes you want to believe.
Last role? Playing a priest in ‘The West Wing’. I always liked to think that this was how his ‘Waterfront’ character ended up – giving pastoral advice to Presidents. Fifty years on, he’s mellowed, but the theology hasn’t developed any nuance; which, in his case, is only a good thing: Love your neighbor. Love your enemy. Do good to those who persecute you. Don’t take no for an answer when the world is crying out for yes.
(more thoughts on Karl can be found by clicking the link above)
-
- groups:
- Film
-
- tags:
- Film, Cinema, Karl Malden, obiturary
