Posted by Jan den Breejen on March 26, 2001 at 23:51:55:
A gang of 40 motorcyclists, the Black Rebels, gatecrash a legitimate motorcycle race. They are eventually thrown out, but one of the gang steals the second prize trophy and gives it to their leader, Johnny. The gang then ride into Wrightsville, where they cruise up and down the main street, and pile into Bleekers - the local bar. The owner of the bar, the Sheriff, is happy to let the bikers spend their money, so does nothing to break up any disturbances. Johnny falls for the Sheriffs daughter, and tries to impress her with the trophy. When a rival gang ride into town, trouble is just around the corner.
+++ Jan's analysis
Marlon Brando plays a youth who experiences 'growing pains'. When you grow up the play gets less and the hard work to sustain your life is not something he likes. There is a need to be defiant, to tell the 'authorities' that he's not a child under their thumb, but with a clumsy inability to assert himself directly. As substitute for directness and assertiveness or outright rebellion; we see a kinda rebellion towards anyone signifying authority (i.e. anyone who could possibly push him do things he doesn't like to do) marked by negativism. When an intolerant shopkeeper asks a young and jumpy Marlon Brando 'What are you rebelling over?', he answers, pleased with himself and his glib wisdom 'What have you got?". The image of being contrary, the message 'don't bother me with uncomfortable things or I'll irritate you' is very typical for the passive agressive character.
Classification: Leisurely Style/passive agressive personality
Jan