Review of Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) by Lorenzo V — 13 May 2012

"I am a teacher and a leader.".

Haunted by painful memories and increasing paranoia, a damaged woman struggles to re-assimilate with her family after fleeing an abusive cult.

REVIEW.

Martha (Olsen) is a traumatised young woman who runs away from a cult in upstate New York. She calls the only person she can, her sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson). She stays with Lucy and her husband Ted (Hugh Dancy) in their country retreat in Connecticut. But Martha struggles to adapt, her behaviour is socially unacceptable and Lucy struggles to help her sister. At the same time Martha has memories of her time at the cult and soon her memories and reality start to mix together. Like everyone else the best feature of Martha Marcy May Marlene is the acting from the whole cast. Olsen and co. gave very natural, believable performances which were enhanced by Durkin's script and his minimalist direction, helping enhance their performances. But Durkin's directional is not simply a point the camera and shoot, it is simply a more subtle approach showing the world as it is, a potential dark place where horrible things can happen. There is a deliberately restrained style as Durkin uses one take shots and as set pieces are simply seen like that, whether using a static camera or hand-held cameras.

It was easy to believe Martha's psychological torment as she struggles to adapt back into society and plagued by her memories. There is excellent editing, making a well crafted story as we see both narratives, seeing the horrible dark elements of the cult which involving drugging, rape, violence, stealing and murder. Olsen and Paulson had a great relationship together, both acting like sisters, both having their own problems, as Lucy is unable to help her sister and both becoming resentful towards each other. It was handled in a believable manner, but the domestic situation and the eerily calm within the cult, being like the Manson family lite. There were moments where Martha Marcy May Marlene does occasionally drag and a little slow. A couple of minutes could have been cut, but on the whole "Martha" is very compelling, intelligently made film with a great cast and script. It is certainly worthy viewing.