Martha Marcy May Marlene film review

By Olivia. C

Source: Google images

The film title Martha Marcy May Marlene may be a mouthful to pronounce, but it is a title like no other that portends to the sinister nature of the film itself. Winner of the directing award for best drama at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, Martha Marcy May Marlene tells the story of Martha (Elisabeth Olson), a fragile young woman who has recently escaped a cult. Taken in by her uptight sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson) and brother-in-law Ted (Hugh Dancy), Martha struggles to reclaim her identity and sanity as she is haunted by the memories of her experiences in the cult.

Like many indie films, Martha Marcy May Marlene is big on the well known ‘show not tell’ principle. Though cleverly done through choice camera shots, sparse dialogue and an almost non-existent music score, this technique creates a certain ambiguity that leaves many unanswered questions for the viewer. Good news for those who enjoy a good cinematic challenge, but bad news for those who like their film to be visually and audibly spoon fed.

From the get go, director Sean Durkin prompts the viewer to fill in the gaps through the power of observation. Nothing is ever deliberately said or made obvious; it is up to the viewer to pick up on the subtle nuances that mark the character's actions. This is established early on, as the film opens on a seemingly peaceful scene on the farm in which the cult resides. An Amish-like impression of the farm is left on the viewer, as modern machinery and technology are blatantly absent. It is as the men eat before the women at dinner, however, that viewers gather that something is wrong, and that all is not as it seems. Such archaic notions seem out of place in the film’s modern day context and causes an unease within the viewer to grow even further, as we see Martha the next day making her escape through the woods.

The age-old chase ‘n pursuit scene is enough to make anyone’s adrenaline pumping, and this scene is no exception as viewers cling to their seats and cry “RUN MARTHA RUN!” Thankfully, Martha is able to make her escape but whether she has made a clean break from the cult is up to the viewer to decide.



Still frame of John Hawkes and Elisabeth Olson (Source: google images)

Elisabeth Olson’s portrayal of an ex-cult member is haunting, and is made all the more impressive as her first major film role. You can’t help but sympathise with Martha’s plight, as she is plagued by her memories of her brief yet disturbing “relationship” with the cult leader, Patrick (John Hawkes) and her struggle to resume a normal life. The mental and emotional implications on not only a cult victim, but on their family is further explored through Martha’s tenuous relationship with her sister and her brother-in-law. Lucy and Ted’s inability to fathom Martha’s fragile state of mind, nevertheless what she has experienced, is infuriating at best and encourages the viewer to view them as the smug, self-righteous married couple they are.

Rated MA 15+, Martha Marcy May Marlene is one film that will make you guessing what the f*ck was going on long after the film credits roll. It is a bizarre but fantastic film that is a must for any one looking for a decent thriller, but is not for the faint hearted or for that family film night with your parents.

8.5/ 10
 

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