Meet Marlon Brando

Meet Marlon Brando is a unique cinematic experience that acts as an intimate and playful insight into the personality of the renowned Hollywood star. This 1966 film isn't your typical narrative-driven story; instead, it is essentially a short, 30-minute, free-wheeling monochrome documentary that showcases Brando's witty, charming and at times elusive ways of handling a press junket during his movie promotion.

The film, directed by Albert and David Maysles, pioneers of American direct cinema, doesn't attempt to chronicle Brando's life or his filmography. The setting here is very specific — Marlon Brando himself, as he encounters a barrage of photographers, reporters, and interviewers following the release of the film, Morituri. He's there to promote his own film but paradoxically he doesn't seem very keen on playing by the conventional promotional strategies.

Throughout the film, we witness the wave after wave of journalists, armed with varying levels of familiarity with Brando's work, engaging in conversations and attempting to unravel the enigma that Brando was. Instead of complying with the usual battery of promotional questions, Brando meets each with his own style of cryptic, offbeat and often humorous responses – subverting expectations and catching his interlocutors off guard.

Though often seeming disinterested in the whole promotional process, Brando's charisma is largely palpable throughout his interactions. Whether he's speaking German with a German journalist, playing with interviewers' questionnaires, or posturing playfully for the photographers, Brando's natural charisma continues to pull focus.

This unique documentary also stars Rex Morgan, an American comic strip writer, known for his intelligent and thought-provoking style, and Mary Frann, who later went on to fame starring in the hit television sitcom 'Newhart'. Their presence adds to the lively dynamic, creating a lively snapshot of 60's press culture as they try to navigate their way around Brando's unique approaches to interviews.

Meet Marlon Brando acts as a revealing snapshot both of the times and the individual. In an era before social media, it allows an unparalleled insight into the unique relationship between press and celebrity in the mid-60s, capturing the relentless cycle of promotions and paparazzi, cut with Brando's own version of press management. Simultaneously, it allows us a look into the playful and introspective nature of a man who was considered one of the greatest actors of his generation.

The Maysles' directors' raw, seemingly intrusive gaze proves an ideal fit for these proceedings. Their camera never stays still, darting between the crowds, following the fast-paced conversations and the reactions of those within Brando’s vicinity. Their unvarnished style anticipates the fly-on-the-wall documentaries of the coming years, capturing nuances of human behavior in the industry during that era.

As he teases, deflects, and enchants the assembled representatives of the media, Brando emerges as a remarkably self-aware figure, revealing as much through what he does not say as what he does. His outspoken nature shines through conversations, even as his charm continues to enthrall.

In critics’ views, one of the funniest moments of the film is when Brando tells a reporter, "The only reason I’m doing this is because I’m being paid." Irreverent and forthright, yet incessantly charming, it's hard not to fall for Brando's beguiling honesty.

Ultimately, Meet Marlon Brando feels like a battle of wills, a subtly sardonic dance between the legendary actor and the media, showcasing the odd but fascinating dynamic between celebrities and press. Its candid, insightful portrayal of a Hollywood icon dealing with the publicity machine continues to cement its relevance and significance in the world of cinema.

To conclude, Meet Marlon Brando is a film that distinctly diverges from traditional storytelling, and instead delves into the world of celebrity culture, giving a candid, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the character of a significant figure in cinema who's most associated with roles that challenged the standard narrative. An endearing and engaging documentary, it's a definite must-watch for fans of Marlon Brando or anyone fascinated by Hollywood during the height of the star system.