The Surprising Film Marlon Brando Never Traveled Without
Marlon Brando had an unusual ritual: he always carried a particular 1990 film with him on his journeys, watching it over and over. Discover the story behind this unique habit and the movie that captivated the legendary actor.
Most people have a favorite item they can’t leave home without, but for Marlon Brando, that item was a movie. Known for his legendary performances and eccentric personality, Brando had a habit that set him apart even among Hollywood ’s most colorful figures. Wherever he went, he made sure to bring along a specific film, watching it repeatedly no matter where his travels took him.
Brando’s quirks on set were well-known—he was famous for his unpredictable behavior, from playful pranks to refusing to memorize his lines. But his attachment to one particular movie was something only those close to him truly understood. Once home video became widely available, Brando took full advantage, making it possible for him to revisit his favorite film anytime he wanted.
Brando’s Unlikely Favorite
According to his son Christian, Brando was a dedicated rewatcher.
“He would watch films over and over again,”
Christian recalled. The film that Brando couldn’t get enough of was Sidney Lumet’s 1990 crime drama, Q & A. It’s not the obvious choice for a comfort movie, but for Brando, it was essential. The film starred Nick Nolte, who became a close friend of Brando’s after being introduced by Sean Penn. Their friendship grew so strong that they spoke on the phone almost daily.
Nolte remembered their conversations fondly, saying,
“We’d talk every day, for quite some time. We’d talk of everything. I mean, there wasn’t anything the guy wasn’t fascinated by.”
Q & A often came up in their talks, with Brando showing a particular fascination for Nolte’s performance. Nolte explained,
“He just wanted to know how I did that. Because there was no indication that I could do a New Yorker type of character, and the racism, and the homosexuality of the transvestites, and reaching down and grabbing things down there. ‘Did you really reach down?’ ‘Yeah’.”
A Movie That Stood Out
Brando’s devotion to Q & A might seem odd, but it speaks to the comfort and inspiration he found in the film. While most people might reach for a lighthearted comedy or a classic romance, Brando was drawn to the gritty, complex world Lumet created. The film, which delves into issues of race and corruption within the police force, was praised by critics at the time of its release. Roger Ebert gave it three-and-a-half out of four stars, writing,
“It is fascinating the way this movie works so well as a police thriller on one level, while on other levels it probes feelings we may keep secret even from ourselves.”
Despite its serious themes, Q & A became Brando’s go-to film, a source of comfort and intrigue that he never tired of revisiting. His unique taste and the personal connection he felt to the movie made it a constant companion, no matter where he was in the world.