Malcolm & Marie

This conversational relationship film involving a quarrelling couple takes place over one long evening in a secluded house, as if on a theatre stage. The couple experience a sharp discharge of emotions in order to again remind each other of why they stay together. The duo of actors work well together. Some parts of the film are more personal, others are needless filler, and the motif of (not) accepting film criticism (the couple have just returned from the premiere of the male character’s film) and its content is not connected to the pair’s personal conflict in any meaningful way. Even as a separate storyline, it doesn’t add much to the film. In combination with black-and-white, the opening one-shot exposition indicates greater creative ambitions, but the film remains monotonously average in terms of its content. But there’s no question that Washington and Zendaya make an effort. (30.06.2021)

A nice acting exercise for two talented actors, but I feel it runs too much around in circles without producing anything important. I would slap both. (07.02.2021)

Malcolm and Marie, and their argument that lasts over an hour and a half and keeps going around in circles. Surprisingly, I didn't even mind that there wasn’t any plot development since the film is visually appealing, and despite the content and dialogue where the two try to hurt each other as much as possible, I stayed nicely calm and relaxed while watching it. I don't know if that would be a compliment or an insult to Sam, but I definitely prefer it to falling into a depression. So all good by me. (01.09.2021)