Read Positive User Reviews for Malcolm & Marie

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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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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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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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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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9

r96skMar 4, 2021

Not sold on a lot of what this offers, but the acting from Zendaya and John David Washington is absolutely phenomenal - flawless, in fact.

The aforementioned duo are truly outstanding, I loved their performances from start-to-finish; whetherNot sold on a lot of what this offers, but the acting from Zendaya and John David Washington is absolutely phenomenal - flawless, in fact.

The aforementioned duo are truly outstanding, I loved their performances from start-to-finish; whether it the more serious bits or the more amusing parts. Great delivery, best acting I've seen in a film in a while - no word of a lie.

As noted at the top, I'm admittedly not fully sure about the rest of the film. I'm definitely not saying it's bad, disappointing or anything but I am unsure about it. Honestly though, the two leads take away any negatives I may have from the production's other departments. They elevate it, for sure.

I'd fully recommend checking out 'Malcolm & Marie' - if only for Zendaya and Washington.… Expand