Watching Malcolm and Marie has really messed me up
which is unfortunate because It is 12:35AM and I was about to go to bed. It made such an impact that I had to write
something to expel some of the bad energy. I think great art leaves a lasting impression
and this definitely has done just that. It makes you think about what you were
just put through and will give you a taste of anxiety if you don’t already know
what that feels like. I haven’t felt this amount of cinematic uneasiness
since sitting through Uncut Gems last year. Prior to that, I related anxiety to the
helicopter scene in Goodfellas and just within the last year alone,
these two films have made Marty’s movie feel like missing a math problem on a
third-grade timed test. I am not sure
what that says about our culture or maybe my viewing habits. In any event, Malcolm and Marie is
reminiscent in tone to Marriage Story and Revolutionary Road. Truth be told, I like to listen to couples
fighting at Target as much as the next guy but this movie really made me feel
uncomfortable.
John David Washington and Zendaya do so much arguing, good
lord back and forth and back and forth.
Just when you think one person got the other one with a good point and walks
away, here comes the other one marching back for more a half a minute
later. Although the writing feels very stage-like
at times, it is great as is the dialogue but it is the acting sells it. It is superb and both characters come out as
unbearable assholes, then vulnerable and then back. You just want them to end the argument but
they keep saying hurtful things to each other and then when you think they made
up guess what? Here comes Zendaya
bringing up something dumb and hiding what the real issue is. It’s like witnessing a fight between your
parents or friends where you just want them to stop but they keep going and
your stomach starts doing cartwheels and in an effort to cause a distraction you
say, “Hey remember Freshen Up gum with the liquid inside?” They both smile for a bit and reminisce and
one says something that reminds the other about a different but related issue
and then they start arguing again and then you’re just sitting in the backseat in
a fetal position going crazy. No? Ok
The writing and music and dialogue and the acting all come
together to make this an immersive experience.
It is a great film but I am not a masochist and I shan’t be watching this
again. I think everyone can relate to
some form of past toxicity that these two characters embody. Not only relate to it but feel it in a visceral
and sensual way that may or may not bring back memories of past battles and
unflattering personality traits. This
couple is facing issues that are buried in pride and bullshit that impedes
their way of communicating with one another. It is very clear they have outlived their use
for each other and they need to separate although they probably will not
because they’re so used to the craziness.
I say that to say this; this
movie made me have flashbacks to arguments I never even had. I would not watch this with a partner for
fear of starting an argument. You’ll be watching
together and then suddenly one of you has a scene resonate and think,
“Yeahhhhh” in a John Mulaney or old timey voice. In short, watch this movie, go through the
feelings but do it alone because unlike the couple, you love your partner
(hopefully), Oh yeah, Happy Valentine’s
Day.
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