Martha Marcy May Marlene - Review

MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE

2012

15

Directed by Sean Durkin

Starring Elizabeth Olsen, Hugh Dancy, John Hawkes

After fleeing an abusive cult, Martha struggles to readjust to the life she once knew while trying to reconnect with her family in this psychological drama.

What’s remarkable about this film is that the director’s vision is so pure and clear, it hasn’t been diluted by 200 different opinions. It's artsy and quiet. There are so many creative flourishes that are bold and set it apart from so much of the drivel we sit through. The film is structured with a mixture of flashbacks and present day sequences which link and flow into each other with undetectable slight of hand. What’s so brilliant about the flashback structure is the glorious confusion and tension in the opening scenes when we have no idea what Martha is fleeing and what has happened to her. There’s a Polanski level of ambiguity throughout and all the way up to the memorable ending. It’s unclear whether Martha’s paranoia is legitimate or if it’s all in her mind which makes the tension that bit worse because it doesn’t matter whether it’s real or not. Martha Marcy May Marlene is a study into cult life, post traumatic stress, memory, modern American life and family dynamics – but it doesn’t preach, it merely chronicles the events in a beautiful way.

Elizabeth Olsen plays Martha (and Marcy May and Marlene) with extraordinary restraint. The psychosis is constantly bubbling under the surface, always being held back so that when she finally does explode its all the more powerful. She has one of those enigmatic faces that doesn’t give anything away but reveals so much at the same time. She consistently plays that fine line between ‘she’ll be fine once she’s had time to settle in.’ and ‘get this poor woman help, she’s losing the plot.’  Perhaps there may be some deep seated acting talent in the Olsen Twins after all… But in all seriousness, Olsen carries this film with grace and refinement that is altogether missing in some actresses of her age.

Beautifully shot with all together nerve wracking performances, Martha Marcy May Marlene is a must-see recommendation.

Rating 8

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Half Nelson - Review

HALF NELSON

2006

15

Directed by Ryan Fleck

Starring Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps and Anthony Mackie


Dan Dunne (Gosling) works in a disadvantaged school where he is an engaging and unconventional History teacher. Out of school hours, a troubled social life is fuelling a drug habit which is becoming more debilitating. One night Dan's professional life becomes intertwined with his sordid affairs when a student Drey (Shareeka Epps) stumbles upon his secret. What initially seems like an unlikely relationship is perhaps not so, as they both understand what the other should stay away from.

If you ever find yourself doubting Gosling's acting ability, you need only watch this movie to affirm the fact he's a massively competent actor. He understands that real people are not one-note so his character toys with charm, vulnerability and force in a way which is far more believable than the majority of protagonists out there. Gosling, Mackie and Epps are not removed from reality and this makes the emotional backbone of the film that bit more potent.

Half Nelson is unapologetic in its ambiguity and revels in the fact the movie goes largely unresolved. But instead of being unsatisfying, it's quite the opposite. The movie carries a quiet level of elegance, subtlety and unpredictability which alludes to a real life balance between optimism and pessimism. On the contrary, the film would have felt insincere and hollow if all the ends had in fact been dealt with in a fairytale Hollywood manner.

Dunne's addiction seeps into every aspect of his life as the film progresses. The fuzzy cinematography, out of focus close-ups and shaky camera shots echo Dunne's own perspective in an inventive way. Narrative slight of hand is almost non existent in Half Nelson, this delicate approach is unorthodox because as a viewer it is unclear how you should emotionally respond and this, some could say, made it feel long winded.

This film is not original, but it stands out from other American dramas of this genre for being completely unhurried and sobering in its script, direction and acting. This may not be a film you rewatch over and over again, but it will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Rating: 7