At the time of this review, Malcolm & Marie has already sparked considerable debate among critics, which isn’t really unexpected given the film’s intentionally provocative subject matter. It’s not an easy job being a film critic, particularly when dealing with public opinion. Successful critics often face harsh criticism and personal attacks online, especially when their views differ from what audiences want to hear. I was hoping that Sam Levinson wouldn't contribute to the widespread misunderstandings about film criticism and the numerous conspiracy theories surrounding journalists in the field... Unfortunately, Malcolm’s extremely exaggerated, almost offensive, and over-the-top speeches – a generous term for rants – only add fuel to the fire. What begins as a seemingly reasonable commentary on how some critics try to impose a nonexistent political or racial message onto films quickly descends into scenes of childish, immature, and self-absorbed behavior from the male lead, who aggressively attacks hypothetical reviews from what he considers terrible critics. Even though this is a rather specialized issue for most viewers, it’s still a detrimental contribution to a challenging problem that film critics face daily. I've reread a particular comment several times now: "Sam Levinson is using a Black actor to express the frustrations of a white male director about film reviewers." In my opinion, whoever wrote this is falling into precisely the same trap that Malcolm aggressively accuses critics of doing: reading too much into things and once again bringing race into a discussion where it doesn't belong. It really doesn’t matter whether the screenplay was written by a frustrated Levinson wanting to vent his thoughts on film criticism or someone else entirely. Ultimately, characters are central to any movie, and that’s my main concern with this story. Despite what I initially thought about it, Malcolm & Marie centers around the toxic relationship of its two unlikeable protagonists. The adjectives used in that sentence aren't far from the truth. Malcolm and Marie spend nearly the entire film in a tiresome, exhausting, and headache-inducing cycle of incredibly exaggerated arguments followed by brief reconciliations involving passionate kisses before another major fight erupts. As soon as I finished watching, Marriage Story came to mind, and I vividly remember being deeply moved during their intense confrontation. Why did I feel so uncomfortable with Malcolm & Marie? Because of the characters’ personalities. Malcolm is nothing more than an arrogant, self-centered, and overly confident filmmaker who now believes he's on top after making a successful film. There’s a fine line between pride and arrogance, but Malcolm clearly embodies the latter; he can’t even acknowledge positive reviews without launching into another rant about how the writer didn't understand his vision. On the other hand, Marie initially appears to be a kind, hardworking, and lovable young woman who seems stuck with the wrong man, seemingly acting as the stabilizing force in their relationship. I felt sympathy for many of the things that happened to her. However, Marie quickly reveals herself to be far from perfect. Despite being more tolerable and less unlikeable than Malcolm, Marie carries mistakes from her past and struggles to accept that Malcolm might have drawn inspiration from someone else. With constant attempts at portraying herself as a victim and a certain amount of jealousy, Marie triggers many of the arguments that arise seemingly out of nowhere after they reconcile. Ultimately, this is why I felt so much more emotionally invested in the characters of Marriage Story: I deeply cared about their lives and understood what drove them apart; I could even relate to some aspects of it. Malcolm may have created a beautiful film loosely based on his relationship with Marie, but it remains a toxic and damaging romance that no one should ever need to experience. Despite these significant drawbacks, Malcolm & Marie still has many admirable qualities. Levinson might share Malcolm’s views on film criticism, but his talent as a director is undeniable. His distinctive use of very long takes significantly enhances the intensity and focus of every dialogue and monologue. Marcell Rév's cinematography – who previously collaborated with Levinson on Euphoria – relies heavily on tracking shots to follow each character through the endless hallways and rooms of the house or static compositions that allow the actors to shine in their performances. Rév waits for just the right moment to move the camera after extended, uninterrupted minutes of impressive work from the film’s standout performers: the actors. John David Washington's performance in Tenet received mixed reactions, but even though I enjoyed his portrayal, I wasn’t sure what direction his career would take. Well, his depiction of Malcolm may be a bit too over-the-top for some viewers' tastes, but despite my dislike for the character, it would require a truly oblivious viewer not to appreciate Washington's remarkable interpretation. In a surprisingly physical display, Washington gives his entire body and voice to his role, not overlooking any facial expression or movement. As uncomfortable as his rants on film criticism are, I have to acknowledge the actor’s ability to actually make me feel that way. However, this is Zendaya's moment to shine. I won't be surprised by the inevitable award nominations she receives. For those who haven’t seen Euphoria or only know her as MJ in Spider-Man: Homecoming and Far From Home, her portrayal of Marie will likely come as a surprise. From the incredible control over subtle emotions that certain scenes demand to the captivating monologues – something both actors handle exceptionally well – Zendaya delivers the best performance of her film career so far. It’s an emotionally powerful display that I won't soon forget. A final note of praise for Labrinth's score, which plays a meaningful role in the storytelling. Malcolm & Marie is technically impressive—with gorgeous cinematography and a striking score—and features two phenomenal performances, but its flawed screenplay and unlikeable characters ultimately push me toward a negative assessment. From the overly exaggerated, almost offensive rants about film criticism and the professionals in that field to the tiresome, over-the-top cycle of fighting and reconciliation, Sam Levinson's undeniable talent as a director is overshadowed by the two incredibly unlikable protagonists who are damaging each other in their toxic relationship. Despite the exceptionally captivating efforts from John David Washington and especially Zendaya, who delivers a career-best performance, the feeling of discomfort and distress never disappears. Malcolm is an entirely intolerable filmmaker, and even though I felt sympathy for Marie at one point, she ultimately proves to be far from a better person. Because one of its central themes is somewhat niche for general audiences, it will likely find commercial success through Netflix. Personally, it’s my first major disappointment of 2021. Rating: C

Source on TMDB