by Shane Conto
What is the ideal date night movie? Is it a film full of sweet romance and kind humor? Is it a rom-com about an odd couple who sarcastically rib each other until they just cannot help but fall in love? Or is it a film that spends 105 minutes featuring a couple fighting with some serious contempt? If the latter is your choice, you must be ready for Netflix’s latest drama! I spent my Friday night date night watching Malcolm & Marie, which is a beautiful black and white film featuring only two stars in front of the camera. Writer/director Sam Levinson, the son of esteemed director Barry Levinson, follows up his work on HBO’s controversial and emotionally devastating Euphoria with this relationship drama. Levinson brings two of the stars of his show along with him, Zendaya and the emotional devastation.
But can Levinson recapture the spark he found with Euphoria in Malcolm & Marie?
He certainly was able to find some of it. First off, this is a gorgeous film. The black and white photography was a great choice as it brings a classic feel to the film akin to films like Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? This is fitting as the film channels that same level of contempt and fiery tension in its relationship. This is a challenging film to sustain as Levinson only has the camera and his two leads to really work with. I never felt bored during the film which is important as it relies heavily on dialogue and human interaction. The closest we get to any form of action is some impressively big yelling and some extreme tension built around one scene involving a knife, but this is no John Wick. As the film goes on, it begins to fall into a familiar emotional partner as well as a story one. The tricky thing about having a film focused on a sustained fight over the course of one night is that it will eventually become a stain and emotionally taxing. There is only so much fighting an audience can handle before it becomes so repetitive that you are no longer able to bear it.
But what about the story makes it so repetitive?
The narrative can honestly be summed up as a frustrating game of Uno. Once one of the characters gets the upper hand in this roller coaster ride of a fight…REVERSE! The other gets the upper hand. This predictable and telegraphed approach to the story makes the film feel surprisingly and disappointingly predictable after a while. I recall the days of my grandfather watching wrestling with me and telling me that the other guy will get the upper hand soon and to my chagrin, he was always right. If he watched this film, I imagine he would have been able to do the same. But don’t get me wrong, the subject matter is poignant. These arguments are well written and the dialogue is biting even if it feels a little staged at times. The themes the film tackles are uncomfortable in a significant way and you should feel uncomfortable. There is well realized trauma and emotions in the two characters making for a car wreck that is so enticing to stare at.
But what really elevates this film to an experience worth venturing on?
Those performances though. Zendaya…John David Washington…wow. These two actors leave everything on the floor as they pour out every last drop of emotion that they can. They bring a level of authenticity (hot take from the script itself) that makes it so easy to get lost in their struggles. Zendaya is the young actress to watch right now as she proves that she can handle themes and subject matter that seem mature beyond her years. She goes toe-to-toe with her older co-star but her years of acting experience show that she is the real deal. She gets to chew it for sure in the film, but for most of the run time she subtly delivers real impact. Zendaya’s trembling chin and hard stare do wonders. Washington, on the other hand, more regularly turns his performance up to 11. When you have a film like Tenet that goes out of its way to hide the personality and energy within, Malcolm & Marie allows Washington to blow off that retrain and bare all the personality he can. He is ferocious (at times maybe a little too over-the-top) as he erupts in anger and passion over a seemingly positive review for his film. Zendaya and Washington crackle with chemistry despite the baggage and ill will their characters begrudgingly carry. But come on…don’t forget your significant other when accepting an award!
After experiencing this mine field of contempt and bitter resentment, I sit and wonder if the film was worth experiencing.
Malcolm & Marie boasts some impressive acting that will be discussed all through awards season and beyond and the script tackles poignant themes, both large scale and incredibly intimate. Despite the fact that the film does begin to feel way too familiar after a while, Netflix’s latest black-and-white feature is quite the experience and should be taken on at least once.
Grade: B-