Synopsis

From Netflix:

As a filmmaker and his girlfriend return home from his movie premiere, smoldering tensions and painful revelations push them toward a romantic reckoning.

Review

I'm feel a little uncomfortable writing this review, I'm gonna be honest. Not because I was let down or I didn't like. I actually have mostly positive things to say about this (personally) highly anticipated film. My lack of comfortability comes from my being a critic... this film hates critics. HATES. LOATHES ENTIRELY. (The Grinch, anyone?). This film hates critics so much, it has TWO minutes-long monologues about the arbitration of criticism and the often-incorrect judgements critics, white critics in particular, place on art, which is subjective anyway. You'll understand what I mean when you see this, but just know that Malcolm would violently reprimand me for critiquing this... So let's get into the review!

Malcolm & Marie is a beautifully shot film about a myriad of ideas, most presently relationships and, as I mentioned, the judgement of art. The film cleverly uses its easy-to-do-in-a-pandemic concept to weave through these issues as a series of arguments between its namesake protagonists, all started by an omission of Marie in Malcolm's thank you speech at his film's premiere earlier in the night. I love that the film was able to do this without boring me. With this concepts, it is very easy to fall into the trap of repetition and eventual tedium. But thanks to its two excellent performances from Zendaya and John David Washington, the film kept me interested for the entire 106 minutes.

The script by Sam Levinson is also largely to thank for its success. A pared-down film such as this really only has two things going for it: the performances and the screenplay (sure, the other technical elements are still in play, but they can't save the film if it fails the same way they could if the production weren't so small-scale). The film has some excellent dialogue that is very well-written. It tackles several ideas like the "white-gaze" - how white people view black art - identity, the conflation of Hollywood and politics, and more. The verbiage is very mature at times, though, meaning there's quite a bit (or more than expected) of advanced vocabulary that the characters are using. This, unfortunately, gives the film a seeming pretention that might turn some viewers away. The writing, paired with its singular location, also evokes the sense of a stage play. Thus, its cinematic nature is somewhat lessened. But, the two actors' delivery of the dialogue is so great, it rips that away... for the most part. Some of Zendaya's dialogue does seem like it was written for an older actress, and the film can't always shake that.

As I stated, the film is beautifully shot. The black-and-white cinematography from Marcell Rév is luscious and is an excellent choice for this film. In a film that deals with a lot of ideas, and is so reliant on its dialogue, the decision to remove aspects like color to place a stronger focus on the story is a successful one. And it is just that... you are focused on this engrossing series of arguments and discussions between Malcom and Marie. And that is made possible by its lead talent. Also, I have to shout out the soundtrack. The music in this film is fantastic. I love the jazzy and old-school feel it gives the film. It, paired with the black-and-white, accents the film's nod to it's appreciation of Old Hollywood. I mean, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) is its most obvious influence.

John David Washington and Zendaya are perfect here. There was some animosity on my side, just because I had never seen these two in roles that would make me believe that they would fit these characters. yes, Zendaya has Euphoria and John David has BlacKkKlansman and Tenet, but none of those, to me, are roles that scream "You would be great in a relationship drama!" I was mistaken (as I was with Judas and the Black Messiah... I'm noticing a trend). John David Washington is the best I've ever seen him here. He's passionate and fiery and tender. But, it was Zendaya that surprised me most. She is all grown-up now, and this movie marks that significantly. I could see her getting an Oscar nomination for this performance. I'd say the same for John David if his competition wasn't literally the hardest it's been in years.

Overall, I really enjoyed Malcolm & Marie. As I said, I was so excited for this film ever since the first trailer came out, and I have to say... it delivers.