Overview
Two lonely hearts find love in an unexpected place, proving it's never too late for romance.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- wistful
- warm
- sincere
- quiet evening
- classic romance night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an appealing, low-key character study elevated by Paddy Chayefsky's dialogue and strong performances from Ernest Borgnine and Betsy Blair.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Marty's life as a butcher, Clara's work as a teacher, and their courtship are portrayed through everyday Bronx social life.
Marty has been repeatedly told he is unattractive and has largely abandoned hope of finding a partner.
Paddy Chayefsky's dialogue and Delbert Mann's low-key presentation emphasize ordinary talk, awkward pauses, and intimate social observation.
Marty faces pressure from his overbearing mother, friends, and wider social expectations surrounding bachelorhood and marriage.
Films like Marty, and why
The Apartment
low-key romantic drama centered on lonely working-class adults and socially pressured courtship
The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer
tender mid-century romance using naturalistic dialogue and everyday working-class settings
Brief Encounter
intimate character-driven romance about ordinary people seeking connection against social expectations
Movie Details
- Director
- Delbert Mann
- Release Date
- 1955-04-11
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (476)
Cast
- Ernest Borgnine
- Betsy Blair
- Esther Minciotti
- Augusta Ciolli
- Joe Mantell
- Karen Steele
- Jerry Paris
- James Bell
- John Beradino
- Charles Cane
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Marty about?
- A lonely Bronx butcher and a kindhearted teacher discover that genuine companionship can survive years of rejection and social pressure.
- What is Marty like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Marty as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Marty violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Marty.
- What did critics think of Marty?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an appealing, low-key character study elevated by Paddy Chayefsky's dialogue and strong performances from Ernest Borgnine and Betsy Blair.
- Which films are like Marty?
- Films with a similar feel include The Apartment, The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, and Brief Encounter.
- How long is Marty?
- Marty runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch Marty?
- In United States, Marty is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
