Review of Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) by Andy S — 06 Jan 2013

Very highly critically acclaimed; I couldnâ(TM)t really miss this one out when it came up in the TV listings this week. A very interesting film; one that will certainly make you think; and also noteworthy for the performance of Elizabeth Olsen, which is quite excellent I might add. Hereâ(TM)s a very brief summary before I give you my thoughts.

We begin with Martha (Elizabeth Olsen), aka Marcy May, leaving the commune where she has lived for the past two years. She makes it to the nearest town where she phones her sister, Lucy (Sarah Paulson), who comes and takes her to here home by a lake, about three hoursâ(TM) drive away. It turns out this is a holiday home for Lucy and her husband, Ted (Hugh Dancy); they usually live and work in New York City. As time passes we learn, via flashback, about Marthaâ(TM)s life in the commune. How the leader, Patrick (John Hawkes), used his influence to get everyone to bend to his will, and how there was a much darker side to things than might appear on the surface. All this has had a profound affect on Marcy and it soon begins to show itself⦠has she really broken away?

Itâ(TM)s all filmed with quite stark colours which, I think, gives more realism to the storyline. I have to praise Elizabeth Olsen for a tremendous performance; she made the part of Marcy very believable. I also thought John Hawkes played the manipulative Patrick very well also and Sarah Paulson did a more than decent job of the older sister, Lucy. I usually put something about how a film made me feel at this point; but Iâ(TM)m still struggling to figure that out. The ending is left quite open to interpretation which leaves me in (at least) two minds as to how I feel about it. Itâ(TM)s still well worth a look if you get the chance⦠Iâ(TM)d certainly be interested in what everyone else makes of it.

SteelMonsterâ(TM)s verdict: RECOMMENDED.

My score: 7.5/10.