On the Waterfront

My first reaction to the movie was that it wasn't one of my favorites but according to "Rotten Tomatoes," it is an all time favorite and got rave reviews. I felt it had a dark setting and plot, and it wasn't due to the lack of color. However, I can certainly see why it's one of those classics that people continue to watch today. It has a message that people can still relate to. The main character, Terry, a former boxer experienced a lot of emotions and trials. Because of this, he was forced to make alot of decisions based on moral standards. In the section titled "Moral Implications," of the text, it talks about films that make moral statements based on moral principles, and this movie follows that direction. After witnessing the murder of Joey, Terry struggled to make the right decision. He was full of remorse over having to keep his secret from Edie. Fortunately, Terry came across Father Barry, a priest, who helped him see the difference between right and wrong, and pushed him to tell his side of the story. The book refers to "On the Waterfront," in the section "The Struggle for Human Dignity." Terry was a prime example for this. He was always referring himself as a lazy bum and failure. He regretted being paid off to lose a meaningful fight, and felt he could have been a real contender. In the end, Terry came forward about the killings and stands up the mob's corruption. By doing so, Terry regained his human dignity and self-respect.