Malcom and Marie: An Incredibly Visceral Whirlwind of a Film

 Dominic Miller/ Netflix 2021

Euphoria’s Sam Levinson latest film, Malcom and Marie, was shot in 14 days with a 22-person crew all followingCOVID-19 precautions. As one of the first films to be released post pandemic, it felt like a breath of fresh air to finally have a film released that we haven’t seen delayed time and time again. The black and white film tells us “a story about love” as we join the titular couple in real time as they spend the night exploring the trials and tribulations of their relationship, let’s be honest, they spend the night arguing. 

I adored the concept of having the film set in one location, on one night. It almost forced you to focus, to pay attention to the story unfolding on screen. The use of black and white also does this, no colour anywhere on screen to draw your eye away from the drama in front of you. The film's narrative follows the couple as they navigate argument after argument as their relationship teeters on the brink. Levinson’s filmmaking creates a voyeuristic feeling: watching the characters through windows, close ups and long takes, all make the audience feel as if they were a very awkward fly on the wall. These stylistic choices evoke the feeling of watching an incredibly intimate play, I caught myself on numerous occasions holding my breath, trying to keep as quiet as possible as not to disturb the pair on the screen before me.  

John David Washington and Zendaya are remarkable in their roles and it wouldn't surprise me if they were both up for nominations when the awards season finally rolls around. To hold the attention of the viewer for two hours with no additional help is no mean feat and their chemistry together was undeniable. Malcolm and Marie, however, did not share the same chemistry. The pair spend the majority of the film in heated arguments, screaming at each other and using anything they have in their arsenal to hurt each other. Whilst I loved the premise and the performances, the film does little to show how unhealthy all of this is. I’m aware that the film trusts the viewer to notice the toxic behaviour of the two, but I do wish more was done to show the pair either seeking professional help or going their separate ways. This constant arguing also led the final act to somewhat ruin the pace of the film, as the novelty of the arguing began to wear off and you just wanted some form of redemption at the film's conclusion. 

Malcolm and Marie is an interesting examination into the difficulties of a turbulent relationship. Beautiful direction and cinematography, stellar performances and a slow burn narrative all work well to create an incredibly visceral whirlwind of a film. Its last act does have some issues with pacing and ends with what feels like an incomplete narrative. Overall, Malcolm and Marie is a wonderful reintroduction to cinema since the world as we knew it got turned on its head and even with its issues, is defiantly worth a watch.