*This article contains spoilers for the Netflix movie, “Malcolm & Marie”*
“Malcolm & Marie” debuted Feb. 5 on Netflix, a movie created during COVID-19 lockdowns. The director of “Euphoria,” Sam Levinson, reunites “Euphoria” music composer Labrinth and lead actress of “Euphoria” Zendaya along with actor John David Washington for a film that is not a love story but a story about love.
The movie follows a couple, Marie, a 24-year-old recovered addict, and Malcolm, a 36-year-old film director, arriving at home after the screening of Malcolm’s new film. The film follows the couple’s many arguments and makeups throughout the night as they both rehash their anger with each other. The central reason surrounding the couple’s argument is that Malcolm forgot to thank her in his speech after the film screening. If simply being his girlfriend was not a good enough reason, I’m sure being the inspiration for the film was. However, Malcolm claimed that Marie was only a small part of the inspiration.
This highlights a greater issue: women in Hollywood not being given credit where credit is due. When Marie mentions this, Malcolm attempts to belittle her into thinking that she is being dramatic and oversensitive.
In the film, Marie says, “It’s not just about you forgetting to thank me, Malcolm. It’s about how you see me. And how you view my contribution, not just to this relationship, but to your work. Specifically in a movie you made about my life.”
Marie criticizes his choice to sexualize the main character of his movie while Malcolm rants about the judgement he receives for being a Black male director making a movie about a young woman.
Malcolm says, “It’s because I’m Black! If I was white, she would’ve said I fell for the trope. But because I’m a man, she can question my intention saying that I’m reveling in the trauma of a woman. ‘Better implied than depicted.’ The f*ck out of here! Why? Because Taylor took her shirt off?”
Marie responds, “I’m sure she just doesn’t think that the nudity was necessary.”
Malcolm realizes that his perspective as a director is heavily factored into how movie critics and viewers see the movie. Both characters had their moments of vitriol throughout the film. It felt almost like a competition back and forth of who would get the last word or say the most hateful thing next.
While the movie has a rather unclear plot, it realistically portrays toxic relationship traits. It considers the arc of both characters and the evolution of their perspectives throughout the film. With two Black leads, Levinson chose the bold aesthetic of a vintage noir look using only black and white throughout the film’s entirety. The set, both contemporary and upscale, was a strategic choice for the film.
“This was built 10 years ago but comes out of the midcentury legacy, is upscale, and has the open floor plan we wanted. It’s a magical house with a lovely connection to the landscape and an economy of design that wouldn’t interfere with the intensity of the drama,” Michael Grasley, the production designer of “Malcolm & Marie,” said in an inter- view with Architectural Digest.
Overall the movie’s stark black and white contrast highlights its ability to portray two characters who are reliant on each other. “Malcolm & Marie” is like a live adaptation of the yin-yang, depicting the beauty of dissimilarity and contradiction but also vulnerability and equal amounts of co-dependence.
Photo by Emma Crouch
