Brando

Author(s): Josh P.
Location: Chicago, IL

"Brando"

Directed by Ron Howard
Written by Akiva Goldsman and Sophia Coppola
Produced by Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Francis Ford Coppola
Music by Thomas Newman
Cinematography by Tom Stern
Makeup by Rick Baker and Ve Niell

Principal Cast:

Mark Ruffalo (Marlon Brando)
Jake Gyllenhaal (Wally Cox)
Adrien Brody (Al Pacino)
F. Murray Abraham (Elia Kazan)
Brandon Routh (Christopher Reeve)
Charlize Theron (Anna Kashfa)
James Gandolfini (Francis Ford Coppola)

Tagline: "He made us an offer we could never rufuse”

Synopsis: Ron Howard directs an A-list cast in this bold biopic about the wild life of Marlon Brando (Ruffalo), one of cinema’s greatest film icons. The film details the shooting of Brando’s many films, such as A Streetcar Named Desire, On the Waterfront and The Godfather. The movie also addresses the unsettling rumors of the questionably strong friendship between Brando and long time companion Wally Cox (Gyllenhaal). Also, during the making of his movies, there were many complications. He refused to learn lines and was always a pain to work with, which almost cost him being cast in The Godfather. Directors never wanted to work with him. In his later life, he would up gaining much weight and, once again, being a horror for the crew. Even his wife, played by Charlize Theron, had to lock the refrigerator at night while Brando slowly deteriorated. After a long battle with a combination of illnesses such as diabetes, lung disease and dementia, Brando finally died on July 1, 2004. However, the legacy Brando left behind will never be forgotten.

What the press would say:

A triumph is what the critics are saying. Ron Howard applies a masterful touch as director. He can create big, glamorous scenes of Hollywood life as well as the gentle, quite moments of the everyday. His sense as a filmmaker explode and every frame is fussed with his genius. Akiva Goldsman and Sophia Coppola provide a great screenplay filled with emotion and energy of all the characters and create a true human interest story. While there are great supporting players, like Charlize Theron as the anguished wife who fears for her husband’s life and Jake Gyllenhaal as the longtime friend who might just be involved in a homosexual affair with the celebrity, it is Mark Ruffalo’s brilliant performance that is note worthy. Working with a dialogue coach and watching Brando’s old films for many months, Ruffalo has perfected Brando’s persona. Still, he is more than just imitating. He still creates a magnificent character through great acting. Brando was not a happy figure and the discontent and anguish that existed in him Ruffalo plays out perfectly. Technical points are also achieved for a hauntingly beautiful score by Thomas Newman, breathtaking cinematography by Clinft Eastwood’s regular cameraman Tom Stern and a very convincing makeup process by the master Rick Baker for turning Ruffalo into Brando’s later years. The campaign consideration:

Best Picture
Best Director: Ron Howard
Best Actor: Mark Ruffalo
Best Supporting Actress: Charlize Theron
Best Original Screenplay: Sophia Coppola and Akiva Goldsman
Best Cinematogrpahy
Best Original Score
Best Makeup