Review of Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) by Da Z — 29 Mar 2012

All I had heard about this film prior to seeing the trailer was that Elizabeth Olsen (the little seen sister of Mary Kate and Ashley) had delivered a powerhouse performance, and was robbed of an Oscar nomination.

Then I saw the trailer and was only mildly intrigued. It had a cultish feel to it, but it played up the idea that reality may not be as perceived. So I gave it a chance. What unfolded was confusing and kind of aggravating.

Naturally, I hate movies that really have no closure, but this one was just too confusing to hate it. Then I did a little IMDB trivia "research", and realized what I should have known going into this - it was loosely based on the Charles Manson cult.

However, it wasn't as bloody as Manson's probably was, but it was nonetheless disturbing and full of hippies. Olsen does give a commendable but inside the ballpark performance, as do Sarah Paulson ("Deadwood"), Hugh Dancy (Evening), and a creepy turn for John Hawkes (Contagion).

The whole thing walks the line between past and present, but never offers any real backstory or fulfilling familial explanation. It's not an enjoyable movie by any means, and it's not the masterpiece that fans of first-time director T.

Sean Durkin think it is.