Malcolm & Marie Review
In Sam Levinson’s highly anticipated film, “Malcolm & Marie”, a strong performance by rising stars Zendaya, 23, and John David Washington, 36, features beautiful grayscale camera work and an appropriately realistic soundtrack that leaves the viewer with a wonderful sensory experience that oozes from the movie screen.
Unfortunately, the pleasant taste is quickly soured by the exhausting argument that fills the film. A short triumphant high following the apparent success of writer and director Malcolm’s just premiered film is abruptly shattered by an emotional rollercoaster ride of a night in which the worst toxicities of each individual shines brilliantly through the colorless takes. In theory, having a focal point being a couple’s rocky relationship was a strong idea. The movie misses its mark in terms of overdrawn monologues and an exhausted script. The script’s over-specification of relational issues stifles the actors’ raw abilities, which I can only imagine to be a projection of the director’s own troubles. The hardship the couple faces is not general enough to appeal to the relationship troubles of the masses.
While I don’t think this film is nearly as substandard as other negative reviews, the plot needed a stronger and more relatable punch in order to reach its full potential strength. Zendaya and Washington successfully portrayed struggle and emotion that came with watching their relationship, which unfolds in the parameters of one night. The cinematography was beautifully composed through intriguing shots yet some scenes seem misplaced. Also, the passion-filled monologues and powerful conversations drag on for a bit too long. The character flaws are unguided and leave the audience wondering how the couple ever worked together in the first place. Granted, perhaps that was the goal. Malcolm does claim, after all, that his work did not need to be looked into as deeply as it was by his white LA Times critic that gave his film the nod of being a masterpiece.
On a separate note, the lack of substance with the racial topics present in the film seems unnecessary. The claim that not all artistic work by Black creators is about race is a fair one, but it is hard for me to find the need to bring the topic up in a film that’s about a relationship, not race. The lack of a true focus can only be partially salvaged by Zendaya’s strong, vulnerable performance that makes me truly excited to see what else she has in her future.
Overall, the movie was an effort, to say the least. If you decide to watch this film, lower your expectations and prepare yourself for a drug-out verbal boxing match that should have ended much earlier than it did.
