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6

bertobellamyFeb 6, 2021

Zendaya is the best thing about a movie that tries so hard to make a commentary about the film industry's state, particularly the criticism aspect. Sam Levinson incorporates meta moments not to elevate the story but to make sure the audienceZendaya is the best thing about a movie that tries so hard to make a commentary about the film industry's state, particularly the criticism aspect. Sam Levinson incorporates meta moments not to elevate the story but to make sure the audience knows he's there. Not a terrible movie, but not so memorable either.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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4

Stream2BigScreeFeb 5, 2021

Remember when you were out in public - when we could go out in public - and you notice a couple within earshot having a "discussion." You're not really doing anything, so you get really quiet so that you can eavesdrop on their back and forth.Remember when you were out in public - when we could go out in public - and you notice a couple within earshot having a "discussion." You're not really doing anything, so you get really quiet so that you can eavesdrop on their back and forth. He says something crazy, and she has a ready comeback. You lean your ear a bit closer, but you're casual about it so they don't notice your nosiness. If it's really juicy, you may get really lost in it and grab some popcorn, but really after about 10 minutes or so, you're bored and you move on to your own life. Malcolm & Marie is that but you're stuck listening to the couple argue for almost 2 hours - well after the initial interest has waned. Malcolm & Marie is this week's big Netflix premiere starring John David Washington and Zendaya in the film produced during last year's COVID-induced lockdown. Here's how I found it.

Malcolm & Marie was written and directed by Sam Levinson, who is the creator of HBO's "Euphoria". Shot in lush black and white, John David Washington plays Malcolm, a director, whose latest film premiered this night and was well-received; and, Zendaya plays Marie, the director's girlfriend, who comes home after the premiere with tension boiling within. The film is a series of arguments throughout the night between Malcolm and Marie about art, criticism, and the various issues in their relationship. A lot of shouting, primarily from Washington - monologues, pontification, and talk and talk and talk all contained in the rooms of this home.

First things first, Zendaya is special. She really can infuse her characters and lines with feeling and energy even when they don't deserve it. Marie is a fine character, but there's not much to it but a sparring partner with Malcolm. Zendaya does her best to give it more and succeeds most of the time. Malcolm is a self-centered, egomaniac and Washington plays into that well enough. The problem with Malcolm is that there is so much talking and shouting that it becomes unbearable. Why is Marie even still there?

Secondly, interspersed through all of the talking are some good music cues. The music gives a good respite to the arguing, but it also is supposed to fill in some of those emotional gaps. It is used well and not overdone. The real problem here is that there's no urgency to anything these people talk about. He's screaming about his movie and the critics and blah, blah, blah, even as she's trying to get him to acknowledge her feelings. I was wondering throughout Malcolm & Marie, do I care? When will this be over? And, are these people still fighting? The arguing was just exhausting and not in a good way.

Ultimately, there's too much talking and the subject matter of the argument is not interesting, or emotionally fulfilling. This is an argument that you'll want to check-out of early. Even though Zendaya does her best, I only give Malcolm & Marie one popped popcorn kernel and find something else to stream.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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3

Camwhit0196Feb 27, 2021

It felt like after 40 mins the characters had nothing new to say and yet the movie lasted another hour. This was so badly written, rather than seeming like two people having a conversation it was just two people continually monologing towardsIt felt like after 40 mins the characters had nothing new to say and yet the movie lasted another hour. This was so badly written, rather than seeming like two people having a conversation it was just two people continually monologing towards each other. It seems like the writer of this film attempted to create smart characters and interesting dialogue while themselves being neither as intelligent or interesting as they think they are.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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4

JLuis_001Feb 5, 2021

Malcolm & Marie is a product of its time, and therefore cannot expose its weaknesses, as these make up its process.

And it's that this film delights itself too much with a self-imposed pretentiousness that I cannot understand, because yes,Malcolm & Marie is a product of its time, and therefore cannot expose its weaknesses, as these make up its process.

And it's that this film delights itself too much with a self-imposed pretentiousness that I cannot understand, because yes, it's quite evident that there was a great effort to make this look good, but they completely forgot to make it feel genuine.

And when you are trying to "show" or are somehow believing that you are transgressor and provocative, well, that's more than essential, it's completely **** vital.
So boo **** hoo.

At 106 minutes in length, Malcolm & Marie are unwelcome guests who stayed overnight for nearly an additional 70 minutes.

* And someone tell Malcolm's writer, that the loudest one in the room is always the weakest one in the room.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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4

lastbetFeb 6, 2021

Feels like they gave a film student too much money. Overacting at its worst by Washington.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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2

lascottlaFeb 7, 2021

Trite garbage. This tries so hard to be a deep artistic character piece, but is as shallow as a ten dollar inflatable kiddie pool. Such incredibly poor writing. I actually feel bad for the writer, because this script makes it crystal clearTrite garbage. This tries so hard to be a deep artistic character piece, but is as shallow as a ten dollar inflatable kiddie pool. Such incredibly poor writing. I actually feel bad for the writer, because this script makes it crystal clear there is no authenticity or ability behind the gloss. That the writer/director relies on stylized camera work, pretty people, and cliche devices to hide a clear lack of talent to pull off a drama that doesn’t rely on the stylistic crutches Levinson has relied upon for past success. No substance here. Only a painful revelation of a lack of talent. I feel bad for anyone involved in this catastrophe. Camera work was alright.… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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10

JasElaFeb 6, 2021

Beautiful Cinematography. Incredible acting. The depths in which these actors depicted their relationship was truly mesmerizing

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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3

viroodiemFeb 6, 2021

Bland and boring giving audiences little to no reason to care about the troubles these people wrestle with. That said I love this as it was more effective than nyquil at curing my insomnia. 3.5 out of 10.

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

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7

TVJerryFeb 6, 2021

Sam Levinson’s HBO series Euphoria was halted while filming Season 2 due to COVID. He and the show’s star Zendaya collaborated on this movie during the shutdown. It stars John David Washington as a filmmaker who comes home from his successfulSam Levinson’s HBO series Euphoria was halted while filming Season 2 due to COVID. He and the show’s star Zendaya collaborated on this movie during the shutdown. It stars John David Washington as a filmmaker who comes home from his successful premiere to encounter scorn from his girlfriend (Zendaya). He forgot to mention her in his speech, but that’s only the beginning of their verbal confrontation, which revolves around their relationship and ruminations on Hollywood politics. I was reminded of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf: One night of intense encounters, verbal sparring and vicious reproach (in black and white, no less). Zendaya holds her own, but it’s Washington’s tour-de-force obsessed, angry and outraged character that makes the film worth watching. Levinson’s direction keeps the one-location, one-night setup visually interesting, but it’s his incisive (sometimes overwritten) script that provides plenty of stinging accusations and verbal showboating. An intimate examination of a relationship packaged as an art film.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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5

moviemitch96Feb 5, 2021

John David Washington and Zendaya play a couple who return to their home from the premiere of his film that he directed and find their relationship put to the test as arguments and revelations arise throughout the night as they await theJohn David Washington and Zendaya play a couple who return to their home from the premiere of his film that he directed and find their relationship put to the test as arguments and revelations arise throughout the night as they await the film's critic reviews. Directed by Sam Levinson (best known for creating and collabing with Zendaya on HBO's Euphoria), and shot in secret during lockdown last summer, the film quite simply and unfortunately falls into a repetitive pattern of argue, make up and make out, argue, make up and make out, repeat. It gets tiresome and predictable pretty fast, with seemingly no true aim or sense of story or direction. It also comes off as slightly pretentious, what with it's black and white cinematography and the feeling that it's just an extended Louis Vuitton commercial. However, it is worth noting that Washington and Zendaya do give pretty great performances and enjoy some solid chemistry with one another, as is to be expected from two of some of the most top-tier actors of this generation. The dialogue and script also leave some compelling impacts at times. Overall, Washington and Zendaya work great together, but it can't fully make up for a hollow, repetitive, and somewhat pretentious idea and execution.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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8

POPCULTURETODAYFeb 5, 2021

After the first trailer for this Netflix original film dropped I was immediately invested. I was beyond excited to see actors like Zendaya and John David Washington take on such serious roles. Granted I’ve seen Washington in films like TenetAfter the first trailer for this Netflix original film dropped I was immediately invested. I was beyond excited to see actors like Zendaya and John David Washington take on such serious roles. Granted I’ve seen Washington in films like Tenet and Blackkklansman, but I have not seen Zendaya to this caliber quite yet. Malcolm and Marie follows a couple who have to deal with each other's hard truths about one another and come to terms with the fact that just because they may love each other doesn’t mean that their lives will always consist of happiness and rainbows.
Malcolm and Marie is truly as it is advertised, “It’s not a love story; it’s a story about love”, and it nails that theme right on the head. This movie is about the struggles of a relationship rather than the lavish sides of it. For anyone who has been in a relationship a film like this may be easy to relate to in some ways. Performances were amazing from both Zendaya as well as John David Washington and although the story may feel as if it is dragging at times it doesn’t drag for long as the viewer is forced to experience the characters changes in emotions. As a viewer I found it hard to side with a particular person during the arguments because relationships are all about compromise and working together, and I think that was a deliberate intent from writer/director Sam Levinson.
This film is most certainly not for everyone; whether that be because of the black and white filter over the entire film, the plot that makes it easier to follow if you have been in a relationship, or the dumb social media outrage when people found out about the age gap between Zendaya and Washington in real life. The separation of film from reality is a topic for another time, but at the end of the day the film knows exactly what it wants to be and who it wants to entertain.
Malcolm and Marie didn’t reinvent the love story, but it is refreshing to see more films like this shine a light on the more visceral side of loving someone. Another film that comes to mind in this category is Marriage Story, another Netflix original film. Fantastical love stories are fun and entertaining, but the more realistic side can be just as entertaining even if it lacks in the fun department.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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10

JenesaisquoixsFeb 6, 2021

Zendaya and John David are both outstanding! I throughly enjoyed watching them both go back and forth with one another.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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8

JacksjusFeb 7, 2021

I thought the movie was enjoyable. It had a lot of dialogue which is rare nowadays. It was sort of like a play so to speak. My only issue is Zandaya has the body of a 12 year old and they were trying to make her come off as sexy.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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10

qwery1234Feb 7, 2021

it is difficult to remain lucid when a film spouts the truth about critics and the world of cinema in recent years. Whoever gave 4/10 to this film has a straw tail. A masterpiece in every aspect.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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10

MjebarFeb 5, 2021

A dose of Marie is sometimes all we need in life.., she's Brilliant & Brutal, she awakens the most creative part of our being as Men. Great movie that dipicts the importance of codependency in our existence as humans, we need each other moreA dose of Marie is sometimes all we need in life.., she's Brilliant & Brutal, she awakens the most creative part of our being as Men. Great movie that dipicts the importance of codependency in our existence as humans, we need each other more than we can imagine… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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0

Jp117Feb 7, 2021

This movie is gross and just plain awful plus can we stop casting that new terrible mj in everything jezz she can’t even act. Overall boring time better spent watching something else.

3 of 10 users found this helpful37

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10

tater_tot10Feb 5, 2021

This is such a great movie. The dialogue, cinematography, and the acting were all phenomenal. The black and white style adds something special to this film. Everyone should go watch it

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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2

Brent_MarchantFeb 10, 2021

Watching this truly abysmal relationship drama is akin to witnessing a horrific traffic accident play out over the course of nearly two hours. As a self-important, self-indulgent, self-aggrandizing vehicle for writer-director Sam Levinson,Watching this truly abysmal relationship drama is akin to witnessing a horrific traffic accident play out over the course of nearly two hours. As a self-important, self-indulgent, self-aggrandizing vehicle for writer-director Sam Levinson, this 15-round knock-down, drag-out lover's quarrel with no referee grows tedious and exhausting quickly as the film's two protagonists spew buckets of bile at one another through myriad monologues delivered with flawless articulation and an artificial eloquence that defy believability. Though stylishly filmed in black and white with earnest performances and a fine (though occasionally all-too-obvious) soundtrack, the picture nevertheless rings inauthentic virtually from the outset with a narrative that becomes circular and characters who grow ever more reprehensible as the picture wears on. One can't help but wonder, "Why are these two people together?" And, as their bombastic and whiny arguing drones on and on, it probably wouldn't take much for the average moviegoer to yell "Shut the hell up!" at the screen. Without a doubt one of the most frustrating, annoying, tiresome and pretentious offerings I've seen in a long time.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

PanchogulApr 30, 2021

Buena cinematografía, buenas actuaciones, historia aburrida y sin encanto.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

LISOCHIKOTOSAFeb 9, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Conceptually, it is pretty interesting. The idea the movie being on one night, using a conflict between lovers to give deeper commentary about other social issues is pretty impressive. The movies having two characters also leaves room for in depth character development.I found it a bit boring but i am not sure why. Maybe its the dark color of the film, or maybe i just did't find the crux of the conflict to be compelling. Still it makes for an interesting experience.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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9

megomikeFeb 14, 2021

Every couple argues, but not like Malcolm and Marie. In truth, all couples fight exactly as they do, with most of the brutality, but little of the honesty. Malcolm and Marie explores how many layers of pain and anger must be peeled away inEvery couple argues, but not like Malcolm and Marie. In truth, all couples fight exactly as they do, with most of the brutality, but little of the honesty. Malcolm and Marie explores how many layers of pain and anger must be peeled away in order for two human beings to achieve empathy and understanding. A small careless act ignites a nightlong battle between two lovers, the battlefield being each other’s ego, self-worth, and shame. In short, Malcolm and Marie is 106 straight minutes of verbal revenge sex. Malcolm and Marie is written and directed by Sam Levinson (Euphoria, son of Oscar Winner Barry Levinson). It stars John David Washington (Tenet, BlacKkKlansman) as Malcolm, a hollywood director, and Zendaya (Spider-Man, Greatest Showman) as Marie, the muse for his most recent movie. The couple returns home from the premiere of Malcolm’s movie, where he has received acclaim from his peers, to await the returns from the critics. While receiving his accolades earlier that evening, Malcolm neglects to acknowledge Marie in his appreciation speech. The fight begins as a question, a simple one, from Marie to Malcolm, about the lapse in judgement. The question is in fact a wound, coming from a place so deep it requires an evening of angry introspection on both parts in order to arrive. The map to Marie’s wound winds through miles of self-doubt and disappointment, with numerous detours through Malcolm’s sanctimonious musings and emotional ignorance. This film is a vignette of a relationship’s path to understanding, but with violent words and harsh truths many of us keep inside. After each round either Malcolm or Marie wins the smaller battle, only for the other to retreat into a corner, in order to regroup for the next volley. The deeper each goes into harming the other, more intentionally with each pass, the more difficult it is for the viewer to hear their venom, as we recognize our most carnal feelings of derision toward partners past and present. But the road is treacherous and long, and Malcolm and Marie ultimately requires the audience to decide whether the brutal honesty of battle, rather than contrived kindness, is the more effective route. I give Malcolm and Marie 4.5 out of 5 stars, and recommend it for anyone that has ever been in a difficult relationship. This is a difficult love story to watch, but an authentic one, and the passion of their disappointment and anger translates to passionate emotional and physical love. You will want this relationship to both fail, and last forever, at many points. While the film itself may not stand up to all of the heavy hitters in the Best Picture category, the performances of both John David Washington and Zendaya are good enough not only to be nominated but to win Oscars. They deftly bring the watcher through the battle that may not end the way you want, but does end the way it should: with another day.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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2

LyriclyFeb 14, 2021

This needs a trigger warning for anyone who has ever been around a narcissist. Malcolm is an abusive d-head. Gaslighting. Manipulating. Love bombing. Fake making. Marie takes it because she’s used to his abuse. I had to turn it off half wayThis needs a trigger warning for anyone who has ever been around a narcissist. Malcolm is an abusive d-head. Gaslighting. Manipulating. Love bombing. Fake making. Marie takes it because she’s used to his abuse. I had to turn it off half way through because I spent many nights like this. It’s a good portrayal of a narcissist having an argument. So if you watch this and see your life in it, just know, it’s time to leave.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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3

MetacriticOnurJul 14, 2021

bad
[ bad ]

adjective, worse, worst;(Slang) bad·der, bad·dest for 36.
not good in any manner or degree.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

bfoore90Feb 8, 2021

If anything, "Malcolm and Marie" displays the complexities of a relationship and the razor thin line between love and hate. The acting is phenomenal, especially considering they filmed this during the pandemic and like I said, it shows theIf anything, "Malcolm and Marie" displays the complexities of a relationship and the razor thin line between love and hate. The acting is phenomenal, especially considering they filmed this during the pandemic and like I said, it shows the complexities that come with a relationship beautifully. The problem with this film is, thats it. There's really nowhere else for the story to go. Its not a bad film, the performances, cinematography and dialogue alone make this film watchable but I doubt I'd watch this film again.… Expand