{ London Film Fest 2011: Martha Marcy May Marlene. }

[delga]

Martha Marcy May Marlene
Director: Sean Durkin
Writer: Sean Durkin
Cast: Elizabeth Olsen, John Hawkes, Sarah Paulson, Hugh Dancy
Trailer

"You're my favourite. I won't lose you."

Martha Marcy May Marlene is the story of a young woman who escapes from a cult and finds temporary respite in her sister's holiday home. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn about her experiences, whilst in the present day we see how her past has changed her, and how adjusting to the modern world is going to prove difficult.

There are some strong performances in the film, from Elizabeth Olsen and John Hawkes especially, and it was a little odd to be watching such a "produced" film after the lo-fi, low budget films I've seen this week (excepting Shame, of course). The film is filled with natural light, and sometimes the lens is filtered to produce that sun glow that seems to be the contemporary representation of the plains in the States. Natural living takes place in this light; it's a distinctly rural glow.

As Martha's story unfolds, we follow her from being welcomed into the cult to learning the ropes through to the events that influenced her decision to leave. Outside the cult, Martha is scornful of her sister Lucy's life, but grateful for the refuge nonetheless. Martha is scared, and it's a fear that never leaves her. She is torn between preaching the values she learned at the cult, and relinquishing them; things that ought to bring her comfort often do not.

What I liked about the duel narrative is how events would occur in present day that would not necessarily be explained in the next flashback, instead waiting until a few flashes later. It is subtle, and relies on your awareness as a viewer. There are all sorts of social mores that Martha has unlearned and all sorts of habits she has to unlearn. It's evident that she doesn't want Lucy's life, but equally clear that she cannot return to where she's been the past two years.

John Hawkes cuts a slight, quietly sinister figure as Patrick, the cult leader, who is against drinking, smoking, and drug use, but has no qualms against violence, or sleeping with all the young women under his care. All of the people under his charge are in their mid-twenties; all of the girls are initiated into the group by the loss of their virginity. Hawkes is on fine form, wiry, quiet and commanding as Patrick; he has an economy of movement which implies violence rather than stating it. His performance reminded me a lot of his role in Winter's Bone, but was a far cry from his turns in Deadwood and You and Me and Everyone We Know. I was struck anew by his versatility.

Elizabeth Olsen proved immensely subtle in her performance; the shift between Martha as a normal young woman and Martha as a product of the cult is fine, and neatly done. Alternately playful and paranoid, it's easy to think that Martha has gone mad. She sees shadows everywhere. Her gradual brainwashing by Patrick and his people is unsettling to watch, especially when she helps to indoctrinate others.

I think a lot of people will go to see this film this year, and it's one that I think benefits from a big-screen environment. Martha's journey needs space. It is strange how wide open spaces can seem so closed in; it is stranger still to witness Martha, seemingly normal, but broken inside where it matters most.

Comments

[asemic.livejournal.com]

Oh, I've been waiting to read this write-up since you mentioned it.

I am so glad that the performances were impressive. I've read nothing but praise for the acting and, from the trailers and promos I've seen, everyone involved will impress me. I can't wait to see this.