Netflix’s much-anticipated original, Malcolm and Marie was released in the past month and sent social media into a frenzy. Sam Levinson, best known for creating the critically acclaimed series Euphoria, writes and directs the “romantic reckoning” starring Emmy award-winning actor Zendaya and actor John-David Washington.
Malcolm and Marie begins with the titular characters coming home after Malcolm’s successful movie premiere. Having directed an acclaimed movie has Malcolm blissfully singing and dancing in the picturesque house contrasting Marie, who tends to her box macaroni and cheese, that she makes for Malcolm with a monotone expression on her face. The night escalates as the tension between the couple increases. Intense shouting matches and monologues ensue as we learn about the subject of Malcolm’s movie, Marie’s struggles with addiction and sobriety, and the nature of their relationship.
Surprisingly, the movie has received polarizing reviews from critics and fans alike. The Decadents' Director, Sukanya Ghosh, discussed the movie with Sadia Parveen (Managing Editor) and Sharanya Chakraborty (Art Director and Writer), breaking down their thoughts on its themes and disappointments.
1. What was your first impression of the movie before it released? Did your opinion change after you watched it?
Sadia: I was patiently waiting for the movie to release since Zendaya announced it on Instagram. Her portrayal of Rue in Euphoria combined with Sam Levinson’s creative vision sparked my interest. The trailer looked promising as it bore resemblances to Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story, had Zendaya playing a mature adult character for the first time, and the first time a person of color was playing her romantic interest. Adding to the allure and expectations of the movie was the fact that it was secretly filmed during the height of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
I watched Malcolm and Marie as soon as it premiered and was pleasantly surprised but a little let down at the same time. While the screenplay and acting were indeed remarkable, the movie leaves a lot to be desired with its lengthy monologues, where I had to force myself to be attentive.
Sharanya: My first impression of the movie before it was released was pretty bland in the sense that I anticipated the same kind of film that Marriage Story (2019) was. My opinion did change after watching it, but only slightly. There wasn't much to add or subtract from the Adam Driver-Scarlett Johansson dynamic to create the John David Washington-Zendaya dynamic, which remains the centre of both the plot and desired effect of the film.
2.Do you think the black and white film choice added any value to the story or the feeling of the movie?
Sharanya: The black-and-white film choice did add a certain note of drama. It emphasised the interaction taking place rather than focusing on other background elements.
Sadia: I agree with Sharanya. The choice to shoot the film in black and white compliments the nature of the movie. It serves as the perfect medium to amplify and balance the complexity of their relationship that is anything but monotonous.
3. Do you believe the portrayal of an interdependent relationship was accurate in the movie? How much does it contribute, in your opinion, to the success of the art that Malcolm is so proud of?
Sadia: Their relationship is not interdependent but a codependent one. Seriously, if you ever want a definition of a codependent relationship - watch the movie. Power imbalances and guilt lace the functioning toxicity that holds them together. Everything about their relationship, it seems, is an “I’m better than you” stand-off where they forget to address the most important aspect of it all - the fact that they need loads of therapy. The overtly ostentatious monologues allow the characters to assert their holier-than-thou mindset. Every power shift strokes their loud but fragile egos.
As for Malcolm and his art, we learn that the movie is his first successful project. Though he says that his movie was not entirely based on Marie’s life, she thinks otherwise. The toxic codependent nature of their relationship leaves us questioning whether their relationship truly meant something to Malcolm, or was just a means to get to his art. As Marie puts it, “I was good material. That’s why you stuck around and fought for me and loved me. Because it was a story. It was a world of emotions you weren’t used to seeing so fucking close.”
Sharanya: More than being an interdependent relationship, Malcolm and Marie represent emotionally abusive relationships. Malcolm's art is not the beneficiary of Marie's personal experience, rather in my opinion, Malcolm benefits from Marie's difficult and turbulent past and in some way keeps the balance weighing down on that side to maintain the status quo.
4. As the movie concluded, did you find yourself siding or empathizing with either character?
Sharanya: As the movie concluded, I did not find myself empathising with the characters, but rather with the entire situation. While one could easily take a feminist stance and blame Malcolm for exploiting Marie's life experience, and call the director out for trying to justify or mansplain what is clearly emotional abuse - the vicious cycle of blame, gaslighting, and manipulation cannot be ignored.
Sadia: Contrary to Sharanya’s opinion, I did find myself empathising with Marie. Though it seems that both of them are equally co-dependent and toxic to each other, one significant point is the age difference. As I watched their verbal spitfires, it was clear that Marie was fighting the power imbalance in their relationship. Throughout the movie, Malcolm humiliates her by throwing her past with self-harm and addiction on her face. We see Marie breaking down while simultaneously holding herself up. Her character was incredibly nuanced and I wish we could have had more insight into her.
5. Comment on the musical choices in the film. Did it contribute to the tension between the two characters?
Sadia: Sam Levinson has a way of brilliantly incorporating music in his work. I witnessed the beautiful Labrinth + Jen Malone + Sam Levinson combination with Euphoria and was not let down by the trio’s musical collaboration on Malcolm and Marie too. The songs played throughout the movie served as a commentary of their situation(s) and aided the story harmoniously.
Sharanya: Since the entire film is carried forward with dialogue between the two characters, music definitely plays an important role. The lyrics hold significance during periods of silence between them. For example, I Forgot to Be Your Lover by William Bell playing in the background as Marie exits the scene, disappointed. However, there is a certain rhythm and quality of tone in their voices, particularly during the scenes fraught with tension, that sounds almost like raging spoken poetry, which in my opinion heightens the narrative.
6. There’s been much controversy about the movie on social media. Do you agree/disagree with any of them?
Sharanya: As the movie released, there was a sudden buzz on social media. Fans of Zendaya and "art film" connoisseurs rose to the occasion and praised the movie. People also seemed to relate to the characters and their explicitly toxic relationship - which reflects more about the social culture and relationship dynamics we live amongst than the film per se. Contrastingly, I received many negative reviews of the film saying how it is simply and quite literally, just a black-and-white portrayal of an abusive relationship than anything deeper or more substantial than that. To be honest, I agree with the latter opinion because sometimes triggering narratives used to make art end up doing more harm than good.
Sadia: Robert Daniels of The Guardian wrote a review on the movie titled “How using a black actor to vent white frustration sinks Malcolm & Marie” that mirrors my thoughts on the complete debacle Malcolm has with critics. The monologue begins on a thought-provoking note where he explains his frustrations with critics who always peddle art made by Black creatives as a political commentary, irrespective of its subject. It slowly spins into a medium through which Sam Levinson expresses his own frustrations with critics, leading to a drab of a monologue that has little to no connection with Malcolm’s character.
Malcolm’s views on male-gaze also seemed like a means through which Levinson addressed the heavy male-gaze aspect of Euphoria. I wanted to scream and tell Malcolm/Levinson that they just need to accept the fact that their art will ALWAYS contain an aspect of male-gaze and, instead of scoffing at the critics, recognize that it’s time to stop perpetuating male-gaze for the sake of “authentic art”.
7. According to your opinion, will Malcolm and Marie stand the test of time despite it being a Netflix original?
Sadia: Malcolm and Marie is a one-time watch. That doesn’t mean that it’s unwatchable or lackluster - anything more than that and you’ll be scrambling to turn it off. There’s not enough backstory or character development like Marriage Story that keeps you coming back. I don’t think the movie will stand the test of time but I’m sure it will pave the way for Zendaya to portray more nuanced adult characters.
Sharanya: Frankly, the reason for my overall disappointment with the film, despite Zendaya's acting skills and the cinematography, is how it will not stand the test of time. Narratives that dare to portray triggering yet truthful stories as such, peak with the emotional effect it has on the audience but wane out soon enough.
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