Malcolm & Marie: Bop or Flop?

*image from IndieWire

Drama, 1 hr 46 min, R

Director: Sam Levinson

What’s it about? Smoldering tensions and painful revelations push a filmmaker and his girlfriend toward a romantic reckoning.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 58%

Bop or Flop? Malcom & Marie wasn’t the worst film I’ve seen, but I can't quite call it a bop. Critically speaking, it falls somewhere in between, so I will classify it as a flip: a film that can go either way, depending on the audience. While the film was unique and important points were made, ultimately, I felt like it didn't quite hit the mark.

Stylistically, the film was beautiful. The bold decision to shoot in black and white and the simplicity of the scenes are notable. The acting was up to par, despite concerns of Zendaya's age (I never doubted her; after all, she did just win an Emmy).

Where the film gets murky for me is the dialogue, which makes up most of the plot. Early on in the film, Marie states that she is tired from the movie premier and only wants to eat some mac and cheese (Kraft, btw) and go to bed. Instead, she makes the mac and cheese for Malcolm (who devours it) and argues with him for another hour and a half.

Through their arguments, we learn that Malcolm is an emotional terrorist who failed to thank Marie during his speech and acknowledge that she, a recovered drug addict, was his inspiration for the film. In addition to their toxic relationship, the dialogue provides thought-provoking critiques of the film industry along with its critics. I find it interesting that these critiques, which touch on race and gender, are coming from a White writer/director projected through the lens of a Black man (which is maybe why I felt it missed the mark).

Overall the dialogue was... extra and a bit all over the place. But maybe that was the point? Parts of the everlasting argument felt forced (I just wanted them to go to bed), though for some watchers, the dialogue proved to be quite real and even triggering. People who loved Marriage Story and toxic relationships will enjoy this. Zendaya and John David Washington stans will love it (in many ways, they are the plot). For lovers of film/film students, it’s a must see regardless.

Malcolm & Marie was released Feb. 5, 2021 and is streaming on Netflix.