Sometimes, 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.
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.