Sundance Film Festival 2011*
Park City, Utah
Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)
Rated R
Past and present collide gently and shockingly in Sean Durkin’s evocative Martha Marcy May Marlene. Making its debut here in Park City, the effective drama charts the escape of Martha (an amazing Elizabeth Olsen, Oldboy) from her two-year life in a backwoods, Upstate New York cult. After reconnecting with her estranged sister (Sarah Paulson)—her only remaining family—Martha tries to make sense of her values, purpose and trauma.
John Brown, right, with director Sean Durkin (Credit: Marvin Brown)
As the film tracks backward, we sense the mounting dread of cult life, but tense present-day scenes underscore that unstable family relationships may have helped drive Martha to the cult. Lead and supporting roles are gripping from top to bottom. But let’s single out veteran character actor John Hawkes (Winter’s Bone, The Sessions), whose quiet menace as the cult’s leader chills the blood.
Subtle editing and past-present transitions are powerful. Durkin’s direction—sure-handed, never showy—packs a punch.
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*Note: Since marvincbrown.com had not been created at the time of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, I decided to go back and repost these reviews and festival items, which were catalogued elsewhere—mainly because I needed to get these reviews into my archives, but also because it was an enjoyable experience I’d like to share.
Marvin Brown, with actor John Hawkes (Credit: John Brown)
