There is so much to love about Malcolm & Marie — and absolutely nothing to dislike about it. It’s a pure perfection of a movie.
If you are looking for the perfect movie, look no further. This year just started but I am going to call it — Malcolm & Marie will be my favorite film of 2021. From the very first few minutes I was completely engulfed in the story, the characters, and the gorgeous shots. To pull off a black and white movie — with only two characters at that – sounds like a difficult feat. However, Malcolm & Marie does it seamlessly.
This movie is about a writer/director/producer named Malcolm, played by John David Washington. We meet him as he arrives home with his girlfriend Marie, played by Zendaya. They were just at the premiere for his movie that he is very proud of. What happens over the course of the next hour and forty-five minutes will have you filled with every different emotion you can think of.
What Makes Malcolm & Marie So Good?
There is so much about the movie Malcolm & Marie that makes it pure perfection. Like I mentioned above, to be able to pull something like this off with just two characters is brilliant. But the fact that they are both absolute powerhouses. Neither one outshines the other and their chemistry is amazing. Malcolm & Marie felt like a real couple to me. With real issues. And real love.
Another big part of this movie is the monologues that these characters deliver. They bring a whole lot of feeling to the movie. I became invested in these characters early on, partly because of them. The screenwriting, the cinematography, and the plot itself — they all come together like pieces to a puzzle that are just begging to be put together. Every single thing about this movie works.
There are a lot of people that will be instantly turned off to a movie because it is in black and white, but don’t let that deter you from this one. Honestly, I cannot even imagine the movie being in color. They even make the macaroni and cheese look good without color! Something I never expected to be possible.
Overall Thoughts
If you sat me down and told me that I needed to pick something, anything, to dislike about this movie — there is not one thing that I can call out. The second Malcolm & Marie ended, I wanted to watch it again. Having only two characters could have been a downfall, but it isn’t. Making the whole movie in black and white could be a misstep, instead it works perfectly. Even the length of the movie feels perfect.
The way that it starts to the way that it ends — mark my words, this is one of the best films of all time. At least in my book. I love every single thing about this movie and no one will ever be able to change my mind.
Malcolm & Marie is pure perfection. To be able to pull off what this movie pulls off is no small feat. Two characters in one house, all in black and white, telling the story of one night. A night that is filled with ups and downs and raw, pure emotion. This is movie that everybody needs to see. And when you do, do yourself a favor and watch it uninterrupted. Put away your phone, turn down the lights, completely engulf yourself in Malcom & Marie, and just enjoy it.
About Malcolm & Marie
Sam Levinson teams up with Zendaya and John David Washington for an achingly romantic drama in which a filmmaker (Washington) and his girlfriend (Zendaya) return home following a celebratory movie premiere as he awaits what’s sure to be imminent critical and financial success.
The evening suddenly takes a turn as revelations about their relationships begin to surface, testing the strength of their love. Working with cinematographer Marcell Rev, Levinson creates a film of rare originality; an ode to the great Hollywood romances as well as a heartfelt expression of faith in the medium’s future.
Malcolm & Marie comes to select theaters this month
and to Netflix on February 5th!
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.