A Streetcar Named Desire

It's impossible to view this from under the shadow of Kazan, Brando and Leigh; more of a "filmed play", it can never hope to capture the uniquely sweaty, claustrophobic atmosphere of the earlier film, and Baldwin's interesting interpretation is notable, making his Stanley a more insecure and deluded mirror to Blanche, but this approach dilutes the character, lacking Brando's unforgettably blunt, elemental force. Lange is the star here, making her Blanche a more flinty and "tough" figure.

Baldwin's "good" but it's just hard for me personally to "believe" him on when ya been exercisin' hard like bowlin' is and what's all this monkeydoins? and the like. Goodman's a better fit as Mitch but his accent made me giggle and the whole production has kind of a goofy, neutered feel. Lange is mesmerizing, though. And Diane Lane...was in it.