Quite possibly one of the most anticipated films of the year, Malcolm & Marie made headlines just under a year ago when news broke that it had been made during quarantine. People’s curiosities grew and so did the hype. Everyone wanted to know what the big secret was. I remember being incredibly excited to add this title to my list.

The story takes place over the span of one night. Malcolm (John David Washington) and Marie (Zendaya) have just returned home from a film premiere. Marie is disappointed in Malcolm because he forgot to thank her in his speech. What follows is a tumultuous evening complete with heightened tensions, many arguments and revelations between the two characters.

This movie left me feeling a mixed bag of emotions.

The acting was brilliant. Both John David Washington and Zendaya gave raw and chilling performances. At times I really did feel like I was right there in the room with them. I think it helped that it was just the two of them on screen as well. This made for a much more intimate experience that I won’t soon forget.

Something else that I loved was the cinematography. The black and white ambiance was a cool touch. I appreciated that it added a flair of timelessness. It was also filmed in 35mm which is unusual but added a uniqueness to the film.

However, the constant fighting really started to get to me after awhile. Just when you think it’s over, it starts all over again. The movie really is not for the faint hearted but it was eye opening at the same time. The message of giving gratitude to those you love was brought across perfectly and I felt a sense of solitary for Marie throughout.

Overall, Malcolm & Marie is a film that left an impression on me. I really don’t think I have seen anything like it before. Unfortunately the hype was too strong and it didn’t end up being like I expected.

Rating: ♥♥♥.5