Prompt: Consider whether and how Sinatra's performance relates to the Method, and what kind of hero or antihero Frankie Machine is.
Sinatra's performance here does seem to be trying to follow in the footsteps of the Method actors, but in my opinion it is Zosch Machine (Eleanor Parker) who steals the show. Her character is supposed to be mentally disturbed, completely crazy with jealousy, and very needy when it comes to attention from Frankie, and she does all of that extremely well. I was simultaneously repulsed by Zosch's behavior and awed by how well Eleanor Parker got across the torturous battle that raged inside Zosch's head. While Sinatra was also good in this film, I did not get a true sense of the Method until he started using heroine again and experiencing the withdrawal symptoms. I thought he did a great job of getting across the feelings of pain, despair, and cravings while his character was quitting his addiction and going cold turkey while locked in Kim Novak's apartment (whose acting is much better here than in the last film I watched her in, Pal Joey).
Frankie Machine is set up as a hero in the community where he lives because he was able to kick his heroine addiction, and then even though he does start using again he is once again able to kick the habit, this time without any professional help. While this type of character is not the 'traditional hero,' I still feel like in a way he is because he knows he has a problem and really wants to try and not use drugs anymore.
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