The acting is good and it's beautifully shot but it's soooo repetitive. A character puts on music, a character smokes. They argue. They make-up. They discuss filmmaking and "art". Characters talk while shoveling food down their mouths. Wash, rinse, repeat. It could have been a good short film. You get everything you really need in like 30 min. But alas its feature length film. So instead you're just hit with the same points again and again. It never adds anything new.
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mr_bickle_the_pickle14 February 2021
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ThomDerd8 February 2021This film has a good script with consistent argument-building. It's easy to follow and good enough to keep you interested throughout. For the rest, acting is ok and the youth, looks and fame of the protagonists helps the viewer get more invested in the film. Cinematography is looking alright and the black n white was a good choice; character blocking looks also vibrant and there's plenty of energy in many scenes. Indeed, some might find that small parts are pretentious or unnecessary and other parts rather hilarious such as the one JDW eating with his mouth open while shouting...but these do not spoil the entire film. Overall, the director/writer did a good job creating this piece, giving moments of debate about love, politics, existence and all delivered with a great pace. Maybe this is the new Valentines Day fav movie..? 8/10 strong effort by Levinson.
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"It's not just about you forgetting to thank me, Malcolm. It's about how you see me. And how you view my contribution; not just to this relationship, but to your work. Specifically, in a movie you made about my life." Marie (Zendaya) If you've ever wondered why a film or play has been called a "two hander," here's a fine example: writer-director Sam Levinson's Malcolm & Marie. No other actors are needed, thank you. These two, John David Washington as Malcolm and Zendaya as Marie, eat up the lines without eating up the scenery without other actors. Living together, they wait at their lavish beach home for the reviews of his new film, whose premiere from which they have just returned. Fueled by passion, narcissism, and plain old intelligence, they argue about the authenticity of his directing and the elements of the film based on her life as a recovering addict (See quote above). Think of just Taylor and Burton in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? without the two younger characters (in fact, the name of the unseen actress in his new film is "Taylor").
Through cycles of bitterness and love, the two characters in Malcolm define many of the important elements of art, most about the honesty of character and point of view or perspective of the artists. But underneath is the nagging is our suspicion that their solipsistic obsession with their craft keeps them from fully loving each other.
This romantic depiction of the conjunction of life and art is to be sipped like a fine Cognac, perhaps revisited to savor the brilliant script and watch two fine actors update the histrionics of Burton and Taylor into modern minimalism. Thanks, Netflix. -
Jeremy_Urquhart10 February 2021Probably would have been better as a short film, because it really started to drag and feel a little repetitive in the second half.
It's a decent effort to do one of those one-location, limited cast kind of movies, but it is let down in the writing, with some dialogue that feels very overwritten at points, and a lot of scenes that feel like they hammer home the same point again and again. You could argue it's intentional, but I'm sure there would be ways to have that repetition as a theme without making the film feel like a bit of a chore to sit through after about the 50-minute mark.
That being said: even though the black and white cinematography doesn't seem to serve a concrete purpose, it does look fairly nice. And the film is saved by its two performances, who do surprisingly good work with a screenplay packed with lines (and whole scenes) that would be difficult to act convincingly.
Overall, it's far from terrible, and I did get a fair bit of enjoyment out of the first half and small parts here and there in the second, but it doesn't quite sustain itself well enough to justify the feature-length runtime, in my opinion. -
dashtag12346 February 2021This movie starts out really solid, the first 20 minutes feel like a really good short film. The movie should've just ended there. Basically after that the conversation and conflict between characters just go in circles for another hour and a half. It's basically pointless. Movie is also very pretentious, with this black-and-white filter making it look all artsy but it's really just trying to act cool. The acting is pretty good, but nothing can save this movie from it's terrible pacing. It is very dull and feels like we are hearing words directly out of the directors mouth. It's more like an autobiography or a blog post than a movie.
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Cineanalyst6 February 2021This is a fascinating one to read reviews for, including, if not especially, the ones with which I disagree. I think that's because "Malcolm & Marie" is explicitly about the creation and appreciation of cinematic art. The two-hander, one-house lockdown set (made as it was during the pandemic) talkfest takes place after the eponymous couple return home on the night of the premiere of Malcolm's debut film, which he wrote and directed. Their series of monologues--organized almost as if they were part of a formal debate, each talking at length largely uninterrupted and each taking time to formulate rebuttals--begin and end over his neglecting to thank Marie, herself a former actress turned "muse," in his public remarks at the premiere. Another focal point of the couple's arguments is an LA Times review of the unseen film-within-the-film. Indeed, the review makes some similar criticisms that have been leveled against "Malcolm & Marie," over authenticity, authorship, gender, race, stylistic choices. It's an argument about artistic values, within the film and continued in reviews of it.
I'm a sucker for this sort of reflexive construction. Initially, or instinctively, I had the urge to dismiss it, though, which some others seem to have, as an artsy and self-indulgent stagy exercise in overwrought overacting on black-and-white celluloid. A lot like in some ways two recent filmed plays, both of which I also liked, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" and "One Night in Miami" (both 2020). All three are unrealistic and dialogue heavy in their own ways where actors are sometimes playing ideas or arguments more than they are characters, and they're all artistically reflexive debates about art. "Malcolm & Marie," however, is more cinematically designed than them, while in form highly reminiscent of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (adapted from the play in 1966), with so much attention given to composition and the highlighting of that by its unusual nature as a modern black-and-white film. It's also focused on film--down to the celluloid vs digital debate--whereas the other recent movies are more about music or other media.
Regardless of whether this is semi-autobiographical of writer-director Sam Levinson's marriage, as filtered through actors John David Washington and Zendaya, and all the gender and racial issues that brings up with a white man telling the story of black characters, one female, within the film the neat suggestion is that it's making itself: that it's the result of the writer-director character, Malcolm, and actress, Marie, having made it themselves--and that it, too, is about talking about a prior film that's also semi-biographical. It's a multi-layered narrative mise-en-abyme. On top of that, the gorgeous high-contrast black-and-white cinematography is often framed through the home's many windows, creating another framing within the already-existent frame of the film--a visual mise-en-abyme alluding to the fact that this is a film. I like, too, how most of the score is diegetic.
Of course, this review is a reflection of how I interpret the film and approach cinema in general, while others may be more interested in discussing character deficiencies, the supposed realism, or socio-political issues and especially race, if they don't dismiss it out of hand as artsy, self-indulgent, etc. All valid criticisms, more or less, and I even agree with them in part, but every time a diatribe verged on obnoxious or at least exhausting, it's turned around, just as Malcolm and Marie go tit-for-tat in their verbal abuse and, then, to shared joy, breaking for a cigarette now and again in between. I found a lot of it to be quite funny. A film where the two characters unnaturally speak in long-winded monologues, as photographed in black and white, but which also plays out largely in real time and is so realistic that the camera follows them to the bathroom. Some of Malcolm's anti-academic rants, also for instance, ironically become academic in their criticisms--bringing up race and politics or the male gaze to refute them, as if Levinson were defending against accusations made of "Malcolm & Marie" even before it was released. Malcolm's movie criticized for gratuitous nudity while we see Zendaya as Marie in various states of undress, only for Malcolm to point out that if this were a film that could be similarly rebuked. Marie, an actress who may sometimes be acting and as played by a real actress, has her moments, as well, especially at one point when it seems as though the lovers' quarrel has really gone off the rails. It's not whether it's right, or who wins the argument, or even that the picture is profound or pretentious, but it's a thoughtful engagement with film on film. -
zkonedog15 February 2021Sometimes, the best artistic endeavors come from odd or unplanned circumstances. Spielberg's shark malfunctions in Jaws? It ultimately sets the standard for unseen creepiness. Harrison Ford sick with a cold on the set of Raiders of the Lost Ark? Produces one of the most hilarious/endearing scenes of the entire film. In that same vein, "Malcolm & Marie" was created in the midst of a pandemic, thus necessitating only two leads, a stripped-down crew/location, and a rushed process. No time to make everything perfect or obsess over the small details. What results through this uncharacteristic process is an equally uncharacteristic cinematic experience.
For a very basic overview, "Malcolm and Marie" tells the story of the titular lead characters coming home from Malcolm's (John David Washington) film premiere. While he's bouncing off the walls with energy, wife Marie (Zendaya) seems a bit perturbed. Viewers quickly come to realize that Malcolm forgot to thank Marie in a speech, and that rift sets off an argument that continues deep into the night.
On the surface, it might be easy to see this flick as an angry one, or a pretentious one, or even an overly simple one. But it is anything but those things. Instead, it portrays the very human way that individuals communicate (or don't communicate) with each other and how that leads to repressed emotions and a buildup of emotional scar tissue. "Malcolm & Marie" rips through such old wounds to be an absolute treatise on how people argue or express emotions through conversation. Sure, not all may be able to put themselves in the exact shoes of a film producer and his insanely glamorous wife, but I can all but guarantee everyone has gone through a similar scenario with a spouse, significant other, parent, sibling, friend, etc. In other words, there is nary a person alive who won't be able to relate to what is transpiring between the two leads.
On an even deeper level, director/writer Sam Levinson turns the tables on the characters so many times that by the end, viewers are as stripped to the bone as the arguing couple. For example, at equal points one will be "in the corner" or either Malcolm or Marie, but then quickly realize the situation is much more complicated. Fortunately, the end goal here isn't to crown an "argument winner". Instead, it is to show what the process looks like and what each party wants at the end of the long night.
To accomplish this, terrific acting is needed--and gotten in spades. Washington is equal parts cool and likable, yet also extremely insecure and patronizing. He also delivers a few epic monologues here that remind me of his famous thespian father (Denzel). Zendaya matches him "blow for blow", if you will, slowly transitioning from "don't want to do this right now" partner to an emotional wreck as many old wounds/suspicions come home to roost. She also has a signature scene that will have you picking your jaw up off the floor.
Sadly, all anyone seems to be talking about regarding "Malcolm & Marie" is the scene in which Malcolm (echoing a real-life event from Levinson's past) lambasts a critic for her review of his film. A bit of a controversial scene, but even then it portrays many truths wrapped up in a number of insecurities and passions. That's what one always gets with this movie--no hard and fast answers, but rather an emotional wallop that will leave you sorting through it for days after viewing.
I truly hope that over time, people begin to see "Malcolm and Marie" for what it really is: an utter tour de force on the nature of arguments, relationships, and how difficult it can be to honestly express one's feelings to another. To my mind, there is much award-worthy material within its runtime. -
Calicodreamin9 February 2021A solid movie in a lot of ways, good acting, interesting cinematography, and some great monologues. Though it just didn't do it for me to watch people yell and be nasty for two hours.
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Neon_Gold5 February 2021This movie was exactly what i was expecting when i saw the poster.
It is insanely pretentious that it is sometimes cringeworthy.
I think this is an interesting concept, a film consisting of just two people and showing their relationship over the course of a single night. After watching i think it might work better as a short film as by the end of its run time it seemed like it just had nothing else to say and felt like the same arguments over and over again.
The male character is a film maker that thinks he is the best film maker since slice bread and the whole time i just couldn't stop thinking that he was just a mouth piece for the director. His words felt like the directors. It was like film school pretentiousness with him constantly talking about certain directors and certain moves and not understanding them like Citizen Kane.
The whole shooting on film and in black and white was just done to be artsy in my eyes. Maybe it added something a little different to it but i thought it made this gorgeous house look terrible because the film was so noisy resulting in it being so grainy.
The construction of some shots were really nice.
The acting was ok. Zendaya was pretty good but the male lead was a little over the top for me. The script was another issue. It was so over written. It didn't feel like people talking, it felt like words of a page.
The plot was sort of infuriating. It repeated its self so much.
The worst part of the movie though was the plot regarding the critic. It was wrote from such a bitter place. The director obviously had a bad review from the LA Times probably the review for Assassination Nation. It was so awkward to watch. It is brought up so much and so often. Really really bad.
I would say you could definitely skip it. -
tbunker-882945 February 2021Let me just sate the obvious first
BRILLIANT ACTING
I love Zendaya she's absolutely outstanding in this film and in general, but if you watch this film for Zendaya only and literally nothing else, you have absolutely no substance and no appreciation for ones art and are clearly ignoring an equally brilliant performance by John David Washington.
Anyone who has a problem with seeing the story of another couple or human emotion either has an unusually stable relationship or has never been in a relationship at all.
I'm seeing so many mixed reviews and the more negative reviews tend to say the same thing with absolutely NO originality. "it's pretentious" "not engaging" "it's just about a couple fighting". You don't have to like the film but at the very least be original in your criticism.
It's clear to me people are losing their sense of realism with being glued to the enormous trend of superhero sci-fi films and unnecessary sequels. Cinema is also about intriguing dialogue with realistic earthly circumstances. Sometimes you need to appreciate a more realistic emotional story.
This film is simple yet at the same time complex as what most relationships are. Human emotion and romance isn't sappy or cheesy one liners you see in sitcoms. It's deep, its raw, its cruel, and it crosses boundaries.
I give it a 7/10 overall it's a good film with excellent acting however the only critique I have with the film is that it remains the same with no unexpected twists or turns revealed. -
To my surprise, this was a very compelling film that featured captivating and powerful performances mixed with brilliant writing. The shifting balance between the two characters keeps us on edge the entire time and we're never quite sure where it's taking us next. It's definitely a daring film to make and I'm sure it will split audiences by a large margin. It's not very easy to digest and I believe it would be better suited for the stage than the screen. However, it's a bold and confident move from the director to make this kind of film, especially in this day and age of cinema, even though it doesn't entirely work to the level of his ambition.
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trinaboice1 February 2021IN A NUTSHELL: Brilliantly written and directed by Sam Levinson, this is one of the very first movies to be written, directed, and produced during the Covid-19 pandemic! The entire movie was filmed in black and white, a visual symbol that speaks volumes, making this movie a piece of modern art. The film is already earning Oscar buzz for the film and the actors...all well deserved.
John David Washington plays a filmmaker on the night of his premiere. As a film critic myself, his character's perspective and comments gave me a lot to think about. He and Zendaya's character talk about film, love, relationships, gratitude, politics, and art.
THINGS I LIKED: The fact that this movie only has 2 cast members is extremely impressive, especially considering how compelling they are to watch for almost 2 whole hours. I'm such a huge fan of John David Washington and thought he was stellar in Blackkklansman. He's also EXCELLENT in this film. Did you know he's the son of Academy Award winner Denzel Washington? Not surprising. There's a scene at about the 40-minute mark that was truly amazing. It immediately reminded me of some of the unbelievable monologues his father gave in the movie Fences. It also reminded me of Adam Driver's jaw-dropping performance in Marriage Story. John David also joined the team of producers on this film. Zendaya is only 24 years old and is already so incredibly accomplished in cinema. For being 12 years younger than John David, she sure did match his performance in this movie. I felt like she really grew up and gave an extremely impressive performance that puts her on the map. Because the movie was filmed during the pandemic, she did all of her own makeup, costume design, and set dressings. She also joined John David as a producer for the film. In fact, she was the one who contacted Sam Levinson to kickstart this project. They grew close during their time together filming Euphoria and continued to collaborate artistically. They all should be very proud of this work. The direction and camera work were artistic masterpieces. Truly stunning. I love that the movie was in black and white. Every frame is immaculate. There is mention of the classic black and white movie Citizen Kane. I think Orson Welles would have been proud of this film. Fantastic one-shot scenes. I thought the references to The Lego Movie movie were hilarious. There are so many insightful comments about cinema. If you watch this movie, consider watching it with captions turned on and the pause button in your hand so you can really analyze and savor each flavorful line. The Cee-Lo song that played during the end credits was perfect when he sings "There's a fine line between love and hate." The song is from the Outkast track Liberation You will feel all the feels, especially if you've ever been in a romantic relationship. Word has it that part of this movie's story was inspired by when Sam Levinson forgot to thank his wife during his speech at the Sundance Film Festival. Ouch.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: Some viewers won't like watching a new film in black and white. When the actors whisper to each other, it's hard to hear what they're saying. I hate seeing Zendaya smoke, ruining the health of her cute body. The constant fighting is exhausting. Sooooo much yelling. I felt like I was being physically assaulted with all of that crude, violent language. I wish Zendaya hadn't been in her underwear for most of the movie. Then again, I understand the visual portrayal of vulnerability.
TIPS FOR PARENTS: You see a woman sit on a toilet and later in a bathtub, but her private parts are covered. Later you see her in skimpy, revealing underwear. Profanity, crude language, and sooooo many F-bombs The "N" word is used several times. Kids will be completely bored. It's really NOT a movie kids should watch anyway. Lots of smoking and drinking Talk of drug use and rehab Talk of sex
You can see my full review on my Movie Review Mom YouTube channel! -
Gordon-1124 April 2021This film contains 100 minutes of constant bickering. I find it unbearable.
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r96sk5 March 2021Not sold on a lot of what this offers, but the acting from Zendaya and John David Washington is absolutely phenomenal - flawless, in fact.
The aforementioned duo are truly outstanding, I loved their performances from start-to-finish; whether it the more serious bits or the more amusing parts. Great delivery, best acting I've seen in a film in a while - no word of a lie.
As noted at the top, I'm admittedly not fully sure about the rest of the film. I'm definitely not saying it's bad, disappointing or anything but I am unsure about it. Honestly though, the two leads take away any negatives I may have from the production's other departments. They elevate it, for sure.
I'd fully recommend checking out 'Malcolm & Marie' - if only for Zendaya and Washington. -
richard-17876 February 2021First, so it doesn't get lost in the rest of this review, let me make it clear that this movie offers two painfully first-rate performances that will rip your emotional guts out. I've seen "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" several times, and I have to say that this movie is even more gut-wrenchingly powerful and well acted than that masterpiece.
It also comes off as a lot more "authentic" - a word played with a lot n this movie. While I like WAOVW a lot, the dialogue is very often very theatrical. Here, while there is also dialogue that sounds as if it is being recited from a stage play - Malcom's remarkable speech, delivered half in the kitchen and half in the garden, that drops the names of MANY famous movie directors and script writers, all at remarkable speed, for example - that is less often the case.
But this movie also plays with what we perceive to be natural. Perhaps the most remarkable instance of that is the scene where Marie presses the carving knife on the tile floor while truly terrifying Malcolm. You hang on every word of it, terrified of what she might do - only to discover that she is "acting," making the point - very well - that sometimes you cannot tell when a person is using real emotions to act and when they are just expressing "authentic" emotion. Elsewhere in the movie Malcolm describes that as the difference between creating a work of art and just making a video of oneself emoting and then posting it on YouTube.
That is brought home yet again at the end when we see that this movie was written and directed by a young white man, Sam Levinson, a point for which Levinson prepared us during Malcolm's garden-kitchen speech when the character asks what two Jewish men, David Selznick and Ben Hecht, could have had to contribute to Gone with the Wind. (A great deal, evidently.)
Watching two people who have feelings for each other rip each other's hearts out is not fun - though Marie at one point says that audiences love to watch it. But when the script is good and the acting and directing first-rate, it is a powerful experience. I strongly recommend this movie, but only to those in a good enough mood that it will not drive them into depression. -
Kikijeanne16 February 2021The way it's written and performed is done more in the style of a stage production, not the normal naturalism you'd expect on screen. Can makes it seem overacted. I don't know, it's a stylistic choice... I just don't know if it's a choice the director intended to make. Someone here said it's like a collection of acting exercises, which is pretty accurate.
Didn't finish. Some might like it, some might not. Could feel the presence of some over-directing in it. Like the way Malcolm ate the mac and cheese. Eurgh, no. Stop. You're wasting your actors potential. -
magsmovies8 February 2021Nobody talks like this in the middle of a heated argument, especially with alcohol involved. The passion was there in the physical acting, but the verbose lines felt entirely too premeditated and rehearsed to be delivered organically as they would be in a spontaneous lover's spat. They just take turns spouting off eloquently composed diatribe. Cinematography is the one redeeming quality. Beyond that, I couldn't get past the toxicity of their psychological jabs to find the takeaway of this abusive character study with no resolution. In summation: TLDR; Relationships are messy and Sam Levinson's grudge for Katie Walsh runs deep.
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salmamahfouz12 February 2021I really dont know..! I felt the whole movies was forced to be artistic but it is not. I felt that the dialogue was so unauthentic, i don't believe this would be a real fight.. one talks and the other listens then reply back.. this doesn't happen. They used big words that no one ever use in a fight. There whole part about the filmmaker complaining from the critics is so forced.. i felt it was so irrelevant to the whole story. The whole of black and white, is kind of forced so people would feel that it is a deep artistic movie, while in fact i felt it was so shallow. For example, marriage story was a movie about couples arguing and was so authentic than this one, we would be lessening marriage story if we compare it to this one. Zendaya's acting was disturbing.. i felt she was also forcing the drama, and forcing the reactions, there was something so weird about the way she talks and reacts.
At the end i guess that if this movie is divided into separate stories, in a separate short film, it would be much better. -
Alexander_Blanchett5 February 2021They fight - they try to have sex - they fight - they try to have sex - they fight - they try to have sex. Thats the whole movie in a nutshell. And you as the audience wonder if they end up having sex or not. That's the plot. Ok that was really a very shallow view on this film as there is indeed more it tells but its nothing really new. We had that intimate look at a couple's relationship a lot of times before and there is not much to add. Sometimes the film feels like an extended version of the fight scene between Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in "Eyes Wide Shut". We learn a lot about the two characters lives, their past and they emotions. There are a few heartbreaking moments that really make it worthwhile. The acting is great, too which is the biggest bonus the film has. Without John David Washington and Zendaya there wouldn't be much left except for an excellent cinematography. But the screenplay is not really that thrilling. It just plays around with various topics of fights, a couple that questions their relationship, their motives. And all of that. Again, had that a dozens time before. The acting and style is what makes it special. The direction by Sam Levinson is also not too shabby. John David Washington is great and shows another range of his immense talent. This is also the film that hopefully gives Zendaya the respect as an actress she deserves. Both are fantastic, both have showed scenes. Both play off each other, its hard to say who is better, but in the essence we see a great showcase of two actors who will have a long and exciting career in Hollywood, who are about to become the leading actors of a new generation. All in all not a bad film but nothing too thought provoking.
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andreascaloni9 April 2021Malcolm and Marie follows a writer-director and his girlfriend, whose relationship is tested on the night of his latest film's premiere when revelations about themselves surface. The movie has two great performances both from the two main and only characters, Josh David Washington and Zendaya. However the story is simple and the film isn't remarkable. Nevertheless it has a good rythm and gives a great opportunity to these two emerging actors.
Rating: 7,2. -
RJBrez6 February 2021I won't need to read many reviews on here to figure out that most people will not like this movie. This is a simple film, with a simple premise but it's executed to perfection by Washington and Zendaya. The only problem with the movie ? It's being released in 2021 where audiences have the attention span of a gnat. There's no action or explosions or quotes to hashtag. It's just a story about a couple working through a handful of issues. Some of the dialogue is over the top but most of it is beautiful. Most of all, this movie has what most things do not in 2021: Authenticity. I appreciate people taking a chance and being unique, especially in our over commercialized culture.
Kudos to the very small amount of people who made this movie happen so quickly. Those who actually appreciate the art form will appreciate your work.
If you have an open mind check this movie out. It's unique and rewarding.
9/10 -
HabibieHakim1236 February 2021"Malcolm & Marie is another Marriage Story and Revolutionary Road typical movie that maybe we can say the black version of Marriage Story and Revolutionary Road which is for me this is kinda little bit intense than two of that, i like that they choose black and white color the whole movie i think that was a perfect decision, very very strong chemistry between Zendaya and John David Washington, they perfomance is blew my mind because i didn't expect they are gonna be so good, this movie have everything especially in the emotion way, there is a time to laugh, there is a time to serious, there is a time to sad, and there is a time to scared, and i get all of that, i really enjoyed this so much in fact i actually want more of this, overall Malcolm & Marie is a really good movie with an incredible perfomance, highly recommended"
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yusufpiskin6 February 2021The cinematography was beautiful. The soundtrack was sensational. The dialogue was riveting. The emotions were turbulent. I genuinely do not understand why this movie has so many negative reviews. Yes, the concept is similar to "Marriage Story" and more but is that really a bad thing? We all loved those movies, didn't we? They took it and made a whole new movie out of it. Filed it in 14 days with a 22 person crew and 2 amazing actors who really know what they were doing. I'm also happy to see Zendaya in something more mature, even though I love her other characters and productions just as much. Really great work!!
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blanbrn11 February 2021"Malcolm and Marie" done in black and white is clear a discussion and conversation like film that's in the moment and it challenges thought as life and love collide. It involves a director Malcolm(John David Washington) who after the night of one of his movie premieres returns home for dinner with his girlfriend Marie(Zendaya) and the night turns into many things from loud words to passion to hope and doubt. The acting and on screen chemistry between the two is tense and great as both of their emotions spill out as they question their sanity and the meaning of love and their current state of being together. The movie may not be everyone's cup of tea still it's thought provoking and makes one see how love, doubt, passion, and life all clash in one.
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eppies17 February 2021Lots of reviews mention how repetitive the film is without appreciating that real-life arguments like this tend to be repetitive. Arguments with a loved one are often tense and rambly and passive aggressive and have their lulls and climaxes-- just as we saw with Malcolm and Marie. If you couldn't get through this film, maybe it's because there's someone in your life who you need to make some peace with...? Maybe?
I appreciated the messiness and moral ambiguity of both characters, but I fully hated Malcolm's long-winded rants about filmmaking-- and I'm a Black media nerd. Malcolm's character felt too much like a vessel for directors' gripes about The Industry, and for the life of me I couldn't understand why Marie chuckled at him like his belligerence was charming. (But maybe *deep sigh* it's because she really loved him) The erratic emotions were raw and real and I honestly think it pays off in the end.
Things I hated: the fact that they didn't just go tf to sleep when they got home Things I loved: the soundtrack