It was but a few days ago that my husband and I were discussing Old Hollywood actors from the likes of Robert Redford, who recently passed away, Paul Newman, my favorite Yul Brynner, and Marlon Brando. As luck or fate would have it, I then received an email from EPEC Media asking if I was interested in watching and reviewing the film Waltzing with Brando before its release in theaters.
I was immediately intrigued by the plot as, believe it or not, I was not familiar with Marlon Brando. I had watched the 1951 film A Streetcar Named Desire, which starred Brando per a high school English literature class assignment.
But, I hadn't watched any other of Brando's films, no not even The Godfather. My knowledge of Brando was minimal, which is why I was shocked to learn that Waltzing with Brando was based on a true story of how the talented Hollywood actor wanted nothing more than to live his life as free and peacefully as possible, not in California, but Tahiti.
It was clear from the beginning that this film was a passion project, as every scene, line of dialogue, angle, and stylistic choice matched with who Brando was, body and soul. He was a perfectionist to his dream and unpredictable when he wasn't.
He was calm, calculated, carefree, and ever charismatic, yet would be seen as a complete oddity if the rest of the world knew him as well as Los Angeles architect Bernard Judge. The film, starring Billy Zane as Marlon Brando and Jon Heder as Bernard Judge, is told from the perspective of Judge, who often addresses the audience directly, as an architect tasked with finding and building a new hotel in Tahiti.
Judge, who is the complete opposite of Brando, faces some usual obstacles on his path before learning that Marlon Brando owns a private island. Brando and Judge proceed to spend the next several years, 1969–1974, trying to create a self-sufficient paradise on the island, even down to the idea of using electric eels to generate power.
Brando's true desires are not a life of luxury in Hollywood but a paradise in Tahiti. Where every day is a gift of tranquility.
He snorkels naked, has children with a woman he's not in an established relationship with, and continually contemplates how we can improve and save the ecosystem. Yes, Brando, for those who do not know, cared deeply for the environment and was a supporter of the Civil Rights Movement.
His career as an actor was a means of getting funds for the construction of the paradise he envisioned. And boy, those funds just kept increasing and increasing.
In the beginning, Tahiti is a dream come true. Judge learns to live a little, able to work diligently while observing and learning from Brando.
His wife and daughter even stay for a little while, but their love of the island doesn't run as deep as Judge's. While Brando returns to the United States to film The Godfather, he remains in constant contact with Judge.
But as time goes on, Brando's project continually extends deadlines, becomes overwrought with debt, and puts a strain on Judge, who believes in Brando's dream but struggles to keep his homelife stable. His wife and daughter become increasingly upset by his constant absence.
There are times where Brando's carefree attitude becomes careless as his exact specifications cause problems for Judge, who has learned to understand and discover the beauty in every fine, small detail, while still remaining responsible and realistic.
Zane and Heder's performances as Brando and Judge are the glue that holds the film together. Performances by Tia Carrere, Rob Corddry, Alaina Huffman, and Richard Dreyfuss cannot be overstated either.
Zane's embodiment of Brando, a man of such sophistication and unpredictability, made it difficult to determine if and when Zane was acting. His performance is impeccable, and draws you in with every word he mutters behind a smooth smile.
Heder is more than his 2000s days of comedies and voice acting roles. He brings a sense of familiarity with Judge, where, as the audience, we experience the same bouts of frustration, joy, confusion, and accomplishment.
Waltzing with Brando is a unique film to watch, whether you are a true, devoted admirer of Marlon Brando or simply want to observe the lives of true artists you never knew of before.
Thank you very much to EPEC Media for reaching out and providing me with an early screening of the film.
Watch Waltzing with Brando in theaters on Friday, Sept. 19.
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