Reuniting with Euphoria creator, Sam Levinson, Zendaya stars alongside John David Washington in Netflix’s explosive romantic drama, Malcolm & Marie.
From the creative from Euphoria, Netflix’s love story filmed during the ongoing pandemic is a romantic drama for the digital age.
Malcolm is on the precipice of his dream of Hollywood glory. Viewers begin to see the emotional fraying threads of his unraveling relationship with his muse, Marie.
John David Washington and Zendaya star as Malcolm & Marie. Focusing on an intimate moment most couples experience, processing a significant night out during an argument.
What follows is a hearty dueling monologue as the film progresses; it revolves solely on the couple and this one momentous night.
From start to end is an emotional reckoning, as you’re not sure (yourself) how you should feel about it. The drama ebbs and flows, sometimes more tranquil during the lighter nuanced moments. While others, it’s jarring and volatile as if cursed by king Poseidon himself.
At first watch, John David comes across a specific electrifying monologue as a juicy roast that most film critics will hate. Mostly because if there’s one thing critics hate more, it’s critiques of our work. It’s a lot to process, and admittingly I can say that aloud.
Sure, Malcolm & Marie have some fun at the expense of critics from big-time publications, but the film itself delves straight into the exploration of intrinsic bias.
Ironically and similarly meta, the movie’s currently in an online discourse about something that essentially fuels the film: a critic’s review.
Malcolm expresses disdain for not being understood by a critic and desires to be similar to a William Wyler. To receive praise for his film’s art instead of the art of utilizing the lens for identity politics. Not to mention, to avoid the inevitable forthcoming “the next Spike Lee” or “the next John Singleton” comments.
He relentlessly says that she can’t see his work for what it is, a film, that his work will always have a political lens. Needless to say, critics’ ears perked up during this particular scene, primarily since a white man directs Malcolm & Marie.
Marie’s calm yet acerbic demeanor shatters Malcolm’s self-twisted melodramatic thoughts since he also benefits from privileges he doesn’t acknowledge.
Comfortably slinking from deadpan into full-on cynicism is fascinating to watch; she’s ready to release her feelings about the night viewers didn’t see. The tension is palpable and evident on Marie’s face. Except a clueless Malcolm ignores her contributions or feelings to focus on his, a reoccurring ripple effect of their relationship.
Marie’s contempt for the entertainment industry takes shape. Viewers ultimately see that Marie is a component of why Malcolm is having a premiere night. Recognition is more than just awards, and frankly, Malcolm forgot to recognize her. The relationship imbalance can either be a demise or a hurdle.
Malcolm & Marie is viscerally engaging, cleverly meta, and sultry with a striking soundtrack. Equally to the cinematography and set design. Although too brooding and indulgent, in the end, it’s a microscopic examination into a relationship, which is never easy to watch but mesmeric nevertheless.
Sure to catapult the leads further into becoming the acting greats they’re meant to be. John David is captivating and carries himself like so many legendary leading men before him. Zendaya electrifies; a commanding performance.
It’s like watching an MVP get ready for an all-star game, seeing her acting abilities come across so clearly on her face, gearing up for emotional battle, carrying herself brilliantly yet methodically in her loaded responses. Even her non-responses are calculating the future of her relationship.
Malcolm & Marie is emotionally turbulent pong, sometimes goes longer than it should but dynamic when frenetic. Sam Levinson reuniting with Zendaya continues to be a scintillating pairing.
Our verdict? Stream it, now showing exclusively on Netflix.
