Sometimes, a movie question appears to present a very limited range of possible answers. Like the question, “Is Marlon Brando the Greatest Movie Actor of All Time?”
You might think the answers to a question like that would typically be limited to the following:
Yes.
Or: No.
Or: What a stupid question.
But then, you would not be a real movie fan, would you? Obsessed with estimating and re-estimating the estimable Brando’s wide—ahem—range of impact and influence on the world of cinema in general, and film acting in particular. Where the star of The Godfather “places” in the annals of thespianic greatness can be, has been, and shall always remain one of “those” conversations taking place among truly dedicated film buffs. We are not talking about Charlie Sheen. Because, as we all know, Charlie Sheen Is No Marlon Brando. No, we are talking about the man who not only made A Streetcar Named Desire, but also Apocalypse Now. And Free Money. Which, uhm, also starred Charlie Sheen.
So, let’s get to it and Ask Movie Irv. Was Brando, Is Brando, Will Brando Always Be…The One?
Brandophiles, wherever you are, are now free to champion or take issue with Irv’s verdict.