The beginning of Brando Lieutenant Ken at the front receives a bullet wound. His lower back is damaged and he cannot walk. In the rehabilitation center, Ken is treated with young and beautiful veterans who have become permanently disabled. However, the lieutenant for 6 years is loved by one girl Ellen, who goes after Ken in all hospitals, and he, in turn, sends his beloved to the garden. And these two will either learn to live together, or Ellen will lose 6 years of her life, and Ken is the meaning of this very life. Disability is not the best start in life for a young person.
Fred Zinneman turned out to be a good “opener” of great talents, while with the constant epithet “sex symbol”. In the 48th, Zinneman shot an unknown handsome Montgomery Clift in the film “Search” (by the way, also featured post-war themes), and now the director debuted the film icon Marlon Brando. And if the film itself is straightforward as a horizon, to put it mildly, can not be called a masterpiece, then the 26-year-old Brando’s play in it without the slightest effort betrays a giant acting potential. At least, Oscar winner Teresa Wright, who was supposed to squeeze a tear of compassion, looked pale against the background of Marlon Brando. Although one in the big movie was already ten years, and the other just knocked on it. But from the foot.
As for the film itself, it inherits the traditional acute social problems of American cinema. This time, “as a basis” took unwalking veterans of the war – young guys, for whom the state cares so tenderly and touchingly (it was already impossible to do without propaganda during McCarthyism), but who are so unkindly met “on the big land”. To be honest, for what the film received a nomination in the category “Best Screenplay” I did not understand – there is some intrigue, unexpected turns, and just an exciting plot is not particularly observed. The movie is interesting, rather, mise-en-scenes performed by the same Brando (the actor demonstrates a very fit body, and in general, for homosexuals this film will be exciting) and some successful collisions, such as the newspaper headline “Paralyzed driver fined for driving while drunk”.
Yes, Zinneman brought up a serious topic, but he did not enter it superficially, but without a zest, too simple. That in no way negates the overall artistic value of the film. However, “Men” will remain in the history of cinema, not as an anthem of the victory of the spirit over the defeated body, but simply as the debut of one of the greatest actors of the planet Marlon Brando.
The verdict. Life in a wheelchair continues, of course. Fred Zinneman showed one aspect of such a life, and in passing also dug up one noble boy for a big movie.
P.S. Given Brando's difficult childhood, playing an irritated psycho, I think it wasn't very difficult for him. In fact, he played himself here, only imagined that he could not walk.
6.5 out of 10