This film is based off of a play of the same name written by Tennessee William. Most of the actors in the play reprised their roles for the film adaptation. The movie went on to win acting award in three out of the four major acting categories. It was chosen for the National Film Registry for preservation in 1999.
A Streetcar Named Desire follows Blanche, who visits her sister Stella in New Orleans. Stella's husband Stanley is sometimes abusive, but with news of a baby, he becomes a little less rough. But not really. Stella runs upstairs to her neighbors when this happens. Blanche prolongs her visit stating her lack of nerves from her husband's suicide.
The story and its characters are very complex. Especially Blanche, who puts up a fake face to try and win the favor of others. It's interesting to see how her mental health begins to decay. She imagines things, and regresses further into herself. In the end, Stanley calls the doctors to take her away to a mental institution.
A Streetcar Named Desire has many similarities to Woody Allen's new film, Blue Jasmine which also follows the story of a woman with serious mental problems. Cate Blanchett's character also visits her sister in the city. Her husband also committed suicide and her sister's boyfriend is abusive. The story is told in flashbacks and there are other subplots within it. However, many people have commented stating that Blue is a modern day version of Desire.
Cate Blanchett is generating Oscar buzz from her performance in Blue Jasmine.
Perhaps she will follow in Vivien Leigh's footsteps as she won for Desire.
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