SUBSCRIBE
F O R T R E S S
No Result
View All Result
  • MOVIES
  • TV
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • COMICS
  • CULTURE
    • BOOKS
    • TOYS
    • SNEAKERS
    • INTERNET
  • VIDEO
  • WIN
Fortress of Solitude
  • MOVIES
  • TV
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • COMICS
  • CULTURE
    • BOOKS
    • TOYS
    • SNEAKERS
    • INTERNET
  • VIDEO
  • WIN
SUBSCRIBE
No Result
View All Result
Fortress of Solitude
No Result
View All Result

Malcolm and Marie Review Netflix

Home > Movies > Malcolm and Marie Review – Zendaya & John David Washington Shine

Malcolm and Marie Review – Zendaya & John David Washington Shine

Sam Levinson's Netflix romantic drama is a 106 minute-long argument between two of the finest actors in Hollywood.

Jarrod SaundersbyJarrod Saunders
February 5, 2021
in Movies
Tags: Movie ReviewNetflix
ShareTweetSend

Netflix‘s Malcolm and Marie is both exhausting and gripping at the same time.

It’s gripping because of the exceptional performances by Zendaya and John David Washington, who both carry the film on their shoulders. And it’s exhausting because the black & white romantic drama about a dysfunctional relationship is essentially just a depressing hour-and-a-half-long fight between a flawed and broken couple set in a single remote location — which unfolds in real-time.

MALCOLM & MARIE
MALCOLM & MARIE (L-R): ZENDAYA as MARIE, JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON as MALCOLM. DOMINIC MILLER/NETFLIX © 2021

The story follows Malcolm (John David Washington), a rising-star filmmaker who has just attended the screening of his most important film to date, and his sulking younger girlfriend, Marie (Zendaya), who believes she deserves more credit for his newfound success in Hollywood.

For the entire duration of the film, the two enter into a combative bickering competition about their true feelings and regrets. Their inner-thoughts boilover and they both word-vomit unforgivable, hurtful remarks to one another.

At times the simplicity of Malcolm and Marie works. But at other times, it feels pretentious and long-winded.

Furthermore, the use of strong language in the duelling monologues throughout, and a few over-the-top scenarios (Washington dancing on the tabletops and later punching air outside the luxury cabin), might alienate audiences who are intrigued by the actors’ thrilling performances.

While both actors truly give their all, Zendaya is the clear standout in Malcolm and Marie. She fully embodies Marie and delivers a wealth of emotions and a strong attitude that is mesmerising to watch. Perhaps, it’s also because it’s a lot easier to connect with the vulnerability of her character than John David Washington‘s peacocking, upper-middle-class persona.

Malcolm and Marie Review

For as many things that the film does right, however, it also gets wrong.

The black-and-white photography, for example, is lovely. It enhances the mood of the film and, visually, it’s stunning and surreal, especially as the camera dollys across different rooms into dark corners of the house and moves into extreme close-ups of the characters. But on the other hand, there’s a sense of claustrophobia, with the simplicity of the cinematography causing it to often feel like a stage play rather than a film production.

For all it’s ambitions and faults, Malcolm and Marie is also both admirable and unlikable at the same. It’s admirable because it achieves so much and does so much right, especially considering it was a pandemic project. But it’s also unlikable because the arguments between the couple never relent or even find a meaningful conclusion. There’s only so many tense confrontations you can watch before you eventually reach fatigue.

The Review

Malcolm and Marie

3 Score

Malcolm and Marie is a powerful showcase for its two stars. However, it's also incredibly exhausting.

Review Breakdown

  • Verdict
ShareTweetSend

FOLLOW US

ADVERTISEMENT

POPULAR

  • The 15 Most Powerful Characters In The Marvel Universe

    The 15 Most Powerful Characters In The Marvel Universe

    26 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The 15 Most Powerful Anime Characters Of All Time

    2 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Dr Seuss Cancelled Due To Racist Imagery

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • #CancelHenryCavill Trends After Trolls Learn That Henry Cavill Dated Gina Carano

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 12 Most Powerful Characters In The DC Universe

    147 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

Coming 2 America Review
Movies

Coming 2 America Isn’t the Eddie Murphy Show and That’s OK

March 5, 2021
Jupiter Legacy Netflix
Movies

Jupiter Legacy: Netflix’s New Superhero Series Has A Teaser Trailer

byStaff Writer
March 2, 2021
The Terminator Will Return For A New Netflix Anime
TV Series

The Terminator Will Return For A New Netflix Anime

byCaryn Ganess
March 1, 2021
Army of the Dead Trailer Shows Zack Snyder's Suicide Squad
Movies

Army of the Dead Trailer Shows Zack Snyder’s Suicide Squad

byStaff Writer
February 25, 2021
Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead Release Date
Movies

Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead Release Date and Poster Announced

byCaryn Ganess
February 22, 2021

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fortress of Solitude

Fortress of Solitude

Fortress of Solitude has become one of the most popular geek entertainment interest websites in South Africa and covers news and reviews on movies, games, comic books, gadgets, TV series, toys, sneakers and more.

The articles on Fortress of Solitude are written by a group of talented, professional and experienced freelance writers, all experts and leaders in their various fields.

Categories

  • Board Games
  • Books
  • Comic Books
  • Competitions
  • Gaming
  • Internet
  • Movies
  • Podcast
  • Sneakers
  • Tech
  • Toys
  • TV Series

Newsletter

Sign up for news in your inbox.

  • For more information on COVID-19
  • About Us
  • Authors
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy & Site Disclaimer
  • Contact Fortress of Solitude

© 2021 Fortress of Solitude, a division of Fortress Entertainment. Registered in South Africa. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
  • Home
  • Movies
  • Gaming
  • Comic Books
  • Tech
  • TV
  • Toys
  • Sneakers
  • Win
  • Video
  • Fortress Podcast
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Contact
  • RSS Feeds
  • Privacy & Site Disclaimer

© 2021 Fortress of Solitude, a division of Fortress Entertainment. Registered in South Africa. All Rights Reserved.