Hey Marty!

Time to throw a little love to another favorite of mine, which was on TCM the other day.  The movie is "Marty", and I don't know if there is a sweeter, more endearing movie out there. Or one that's more relatable, at least to my personal life.  

It's the story of a single guy in his 30's, a butcher (played by Ernest Borgnine) who lives with his mother and who's a self-described "fat, ugly man".  He's expended so much effort in the dating game, and received nothing but heartbreak that he's ready to give up.  His mother finally convinces him to give it one more try, so off he goes one Saturday evening with his best friend to a local dance hall to try and meet some "tomatas".

While there, he's offered $5 by another guy to take a "dog" off his hands. Marty initially refuses, but then agrees, and ends up meeting Clara (Betsy Blair), who feels just as pained by single-dom as he does.  They end up hitting it off, talking for hours, Marty proclaiming that "we're not such dogs as we think we are".  I won't give the rest away, but let me say that it's an ending to make any girl sigh. 

It's such a simple story, but pretty universal. It speaks to everyone who has ever felt lonely, awkward and unattractive.  Ernest Borgnine and Betsy Blair are both perfect.  You root for them because you can see how much they have to offer someone, if just given the chance.

"Marty" was a huge hit the year it was released (1955), winning Oscars for Best Actor, Best Director (Delbert Mann) and Best Picture.  It's also one of my very favorite movies, one of those I can watch again and again. It gives me hope.