Review of Listen to Me Marlon (2015) by Gabriel F — 02 Jan 2016

The Cleveland Institute of Art's Cinematheque opened their new state of the art facility with this documentary that is somewhere between a biography and an autobiography. Since it is directed, written, and edited by Stevan Riley piecing together the audio recordings, still shots, and video clips from Brando's life it is obviously constructed by Riley and the crew.

However, there are no other interview subjects. It really feels like it is all from Brando's perspective with audio confessionals, self hypnosis tapes, and Brando himself speaking from beyond the grave in a way.

It may sound kind of New Age, but Marlon Brando had his face digitally scanned in the later years of his life while he imparted wisdom that he wanted to pass on to future generations. Strangely this device works in the context of this doc.

The digital outlines of his features look out from the screen and tell us directly about his acting career, his troubled family life, and in the process we learn about his philosophy of life. If all goes well, the audience is likely to engage in some self reflection as well.