Malcolm & Marie ★★

Staring: John David Washington and Zendaya

Written and directed by Sam Levinson

Tagline: Madly in love.

While the rest of the world was busy grappling with various degrees of lockdown amidst the coronavirus outbreak last year, Sam Levinson and his team were busy creating Malcolm & Marie, a project that sought to work within the limitations dictated by the said pandemic.

Starring only two actors and shot entirely at one location, the black-and-white film seemingly aimed to put together an intense, intimate drama exploring a strained relationship in a claustrophobic setting. What we’ve ended up with instead though, is a self-indulgent, over-the-top melodrama that simply wastes the potential of its premise.

The movie’s titular couple is director Malcolm Elliott (portrayed by John David Washington) and his girlfriend Marie Jones (Zendaya). They have returned home after the very successful premiere of Malcolm’s debut feature, and while he is excited about his potential breakthrough, she is seething over a perceived slight.

A drawn-out back-and-forth argument thereby ensues between the couple, with each hurling verbal punches at the other, taking aim at past struggles and various flaws. Also a recurring topic of discussion is the film industry and their – or rather mostly Malcolm’s – thoughts on filmmaking and movie critics.

It’s all quite unconvincing.

The weaknesses of the screenplay are the primary reason the proceedings fall flat. There is nothing natural about the dialogues or the flow of the conversation. The writing and thoughts are often self-indulgent and pretentious. It’s hard to be invested in or root for either of the petty characters or their toxic relationship. As for the pandemic filmmaking, instead of adding to the movie’s aesthetic and making the project feel creative, different, or special, the limitations – the small set and cast – merely make the film seem like a stage play.

Also, (warning: unpopular opinion ahead) the acting, albeit serviceable, isn’t exactly stellar. A script this weak is in dire need of performances with exceptional depth, range, and authenticity to give the narrative any weight. Here, an effusive Washington is just buried under Levinson’s overlong diatribes, while Zendaya (who does shine in a standout scene) is unable to consistently showcase the subtle complexities that her character requires.

It is all, however, rather pretty to look at. The people, the house, the gorgeous black-and-white cinematography – everything is visually beautiful, and that makes the rest of the movie feel all the more disappointing. Malcolm & Marie clearly had potential as well as an intriguing backdrop behind its creation. A better writer or a different story – something a tad more interesting than watching two people bickering in alternating monologues – could have made the film a lot more impressive.

Rating system:  ★Not on your life  ★ ½ If you really must waste your time ★★ Hardly worth the bother  ★★ ½ Okay for a slow afternoon only  ★★★  Good enough for a look see  ★★★ ½ Recommended viewing ★★★★ Don’t miss it ★★★★ ½ Almost perfect ★★★★★ Perfection