A director and his girlfriend’s relationship is tested after they return home from his movie premiere and await critics’ responses.
Chuck says:
There’s a great deal of manipulation at play – both between the characters on the screen and the filmmaker and audience – in Sam Levinson’s “Malcolm and Marie,” an engaging and at times hard-to-watch two-hander in which a troubled couple emotionally eviscerate one another over the course of a very long night. Though uncomfortable to witness, there’s an energy to the piece that makes it hard to look away…until you just can’t take it anymore. Credit the no-holds-barred performances by the two leads and vibrant direction from writer Sam Levinson for hooking and keeping us on the line throughout, despite the fact that some of what’s said and done will likely cut too close to the bone for anyone who’s been in a relationship, healthy or not. To be fair, they’re also to blame for wearing the audience down to the point where you can’t wait to leave the company of these two damaged souls.
For filmmaker Malcolm (John David Washington), the night begins as one of triumph. He’s still flying high after being feted at the successful premiere of his latest movie when he returns home with his partner Marie (Zendaya), dancing about their Malibu residence, a drink in his hand, on cloud nine. However, his bubble is soon burst when he notices Marie is aloof and makes the mistake of asking her what’s bothering her. And while she says that his having forgotten to thank her for her contributions to his film while being honored is what’s stuck in her craw, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Feelings of animosity, long-held hurts and brutal confessions all come to the fore as the couple rip each other apart, reconcile and repeat the cycle again and again during a rollercoaster night that’s initially invigorating but ultimately exhausting.
Washington and Zendaya bring their A-Game to the table, each proving to be a force to be reckoned with. While the former has shown glimmers of the power he displays here, his co-star far exceeds any previous expectations you may have of her. Whether Impassioned, vulnerable or wily, Zendaya is passionate in her approach, fleshing out this troubled woman who is far smarter than she appears but also perhaps broken beyond repair. In some ways Washington has the harder task, his character being far less appealing and a bit more obvious in intent and action. That he’s able to bring some nuance to the role is a tribute to his dedication to his craft.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle with projects such is this being able to maintain a sense of realism throughout. Each performer has monologues that put them in the spotlight and the challenge is to make moments such as these appear natural, not come off as scenes tailored to score awards recognition or overt praise. Initially Washington, Zendaya and Levinson are able to avoid this trap but as the film goes on and the energy rises, each performer is guilty of going a bit too far to showing us what great actors they are, rather than simply concentrating on the characters they’re portraying.
In the end, “Malcolm and Marie” reveals itself to be a theatrical exercise rather than a film we can immerse ourselves in and perhaps achieve some catharsis. Levinson takes a bait-and-switch approach in which the viewer may find themselves initially dazzled by the energy on display only to ultimately exhausted by the moments of grand actorly moments that play out. Perhaps it’s just me, but I prefer to be entertained when I watch a movie, not bludgeoned.
2 1/2 Stars
