Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)

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  April 5, 2013

  romy861

  Really impressed with Elizabeth Olsen. Has been great in everything I've seen her in.
  I would like to watch this movie again before I review it properly as it is quite complex and I didn't know what it was about initially. Quite compelling viewing about the effects of a cult.

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  September 25, 2012

  danperry17

  The log line says this film is about attempting to re-integrate a cult survivor into a family, and it is, but I thought that was only one aspect of the plot; almost more interesting was the far-reaching impact of sexual exploitation at a young age, and the way that the film lays ... read morebare just how many of our practices, rituals and social norms are based on a presumed common understanding of sexual mores. The standout scene for me is when Martha goes swimming upon returning to her sister's house, and unblinkingly strips naked before she jumps in. It's kind of like when a film gives you the ending first - you have to ask, "So how did you get to this point?" It's a particular kind of disruption, and something not commonly seen in mainstream film. Fairly well acted, particularly by that other Olsen sister, and though slow in places, a compelling watch.

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  September 12, 2012

  itsjustme2004

  Complex story that takes a little bit of concentration to realize it's not made like other movies. People who are complaining about there being no ending aren't watching the movie close enough. I have to admit, it didn't hit me right away either. I kept wondering where the name M... read morearlene actually came about...then I remembered her answering the phone with that name..then it dawned on me that the end isn't really the end. And I don't think things turned out well for her real family....Quite a clever twist, in my opinion.

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  September 5, 2012

  emilkakko

  Hypnotic, dreamlike and nightmarish dive into a young girl's damaged psyche. Sean Durkin's debut feature is quite impressive and often captivating experience to sit through. It shows us that Durkin is a director with loads of potential and vision.
  At times Martha Marcy May Marle... read morene resembles of Michael Haneke's ice cold static studies of darker side of human nature, but with different kind of visual approach. Here is a horror-film which is capable of making us feeling uncomfortable without using any cheap scares or that much music either. Instead Durkin uses effectively his images of calm farm at the countryside which is surrounded by brooding forest.
  One of the film's standouts is Elizabeth Olsen's brilliant performance as a title character Martha.
  Olsen proves here with this film that she is very capable as an actress. Her Martha is deeply troubled, confused, damaged and quietly creepy human being. We in the audience are constantly uncertain if she just a victim or possibly something else, something closer to an dangerous.
  I found this film's structure quite clever and arresting. Durkin mixes dreamlike memories with present moments with oddly fascinating results. This film often has this genuine dreamlike quality itself. It will be interesting to see where Durkin is heading next withj his film career. This is confident and assured debut which does not serve easy answers and has power to be deeply unsettilng.

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• 
  
  August 24, 2012

  fb748921129

  An enthralling story that lingers in the mind long after the end credits have rolled.

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  August 13, 2012

  SirPant

  Beautifully filmed and pretty well acted too, Elizabeth Olsen being particularly good in the lead role. Unfortunately it lacks real substance. More often than not a film can say so much more by saying very little and in turn it lets the audience decide on certain issues but with ... read moreMartha Marcy May Marlene this isn't the case. At times Martha Marcy May Marlene is excruciatingly frustrating and not always particularly convincing. There is an heir of naivety to the film as a whole, it's pseudo-psychology is a little embarrassing at times too but all that said I did enjoy it but mainly for the performances and the cinematography.

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  July 30, 2012

  sanjurosamurai

  my wife said that the scenes at the ranch didnt justify martha's later behavior. ive thought a lot about whether or not that's true, but that's the beauty of this film - it makes you think. the acting is wonderful and the imagery intentional. the music is also a plus. overall... read more i thought this was one of the most well made and well shot films of the year, and a rewatch is in order to see if the script builds parallels well enough.

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  May 22, 2012

  katykern8261

  Directed (and written) by Sean Durkin, Fox Searchlight Pictures, 2011. Starring Elizabeth Olsen, Sarah Paulson, Hugh Dancy and John Hawkes.
  
  Genre: Drama, Thriller.
  
  Question: What happens to you if you were abandoned as a child, end up not having a proper upbringing, and in ... read moresearch of wanting someone to love you and take care of you? That's easy - you're vulnerable and easy prey for those who like to manipulate and control others. Martha Marcy May Marlene explores one woman's experience in a manipulative and abusive cult-like "family" after she escapes and tries to have a real family member help her.
  
  Martha Marcy May Marlene is not an easy movie to watch/experience, that is not to say it is a bad movie - quite the contrary. However, there were scenes that were hard to watch especially when the manipulation and abuse are depicted on screen. It is a poignant film that displays pure, raw emotions. Most of the credit should go to the lead actress: Elizabeth Olsen. She was spectacular!
  
  I was blown-away by her skill to draw you into her mental decline as she recalled the good, the bad and the horror of her past with the group. Her eyes and facial expressions during certain moments of silence were just as powerful at displaying the intensity of the moment as compared to when she is being physically violated or having a full blown paranoia attack. All these scenes leave you drained.
  
  This is a slow film but a thought-provoking piece that will leave you wondering if characters or story-lines were real or imaginary. As I was watching this film, which I enjoyed, I kept recalling another movie I saw nearly a decade ago: Swimming Pool. It had the same feel as that drama/thriller.
  
  A couple other actors should have a mention or two. Hugh Dancy, who usually plays the sweet, British male lead character in his films definitely played against type. It was refreshing. I almost didn't recognize him because of it. Another actor whose name you won't recognize, John Hawkes, but you should recall his face, played the leader of the cult. His portrayal was seductive, charming and scarily real - you could almost feel why someone girls would allow him to control them. Shivers. He should receive some sort of decent acknowledgement for his performance.
  
  I don't want to tell you any more about Martha Marcy May Marlene - like why it is called that or any other details of the plot because it is a thriller except to say I really enjoyed the cinematography in this film. There were extreme close-ups, that were almost disconcerting, when two people were conversing, but I understood what the filmmakers were trying to communicate. I am not going to tell you what I think - nope. This film asks questions and lets you answer them which is my favorite kind of story. I so enjoy when something isn't shoved down my throat and I am allowed to come up with my own conclusions.
  
  One last part that I have to share: the editing and the dialogue. It was simply brilliant. The story goes back and forth from her present day to flashbacks of when she was with the cult. The editor chose perfect aspects of editing to make you wonder if it was a dream or if it was real in order to let your emotions sink you in deeper into the tale. Also, there was some profound dialogue that left me almost breathless. That is all I am going to say about that.
  
  As you may have figured out, Martha Marcy May Marlene may not be a film for everyone; but if you enjoy good storytelling that is off-beat and filled with meandering emotions then this one is for you.
  
  My favorite part: Having a film that lets it's audience think for themselves.
  
  My least favorite: The abuse portrayed in this film.
  
  Rating: R
  Length: 102 minutes
  
  Review: 7 out of 10

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• 
  
  May 14, 2012

  LorenzoVonMatterhorn

  "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 (Ols... read moreen) 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.

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• 
  
  May 7, 2012

  fb100001048934982

  A thoroughly enthralling psychological thriller that fires on all cylinders. This films creates a tense mood filled with great performances, especially from its lead Elizabeth Olson. Some may moan about the ending, but it doesn't ruin the overall satisfaction of the film. This is... read more a superbly entertaining and well-crafted thriller.

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• Elizabeth Olsen as Martha
• Christopher Abbott as Max
• Brady Corbet as Watts
• Hugh Dancy as Ted
• Maria Dizzia as Katie
• Julia Garner as Sarah
• John Hawkes as Patrick
• Louisa Krause as Zoe
• Sarah Paulson as Lucy

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• • Martha: Not everything has to be a big deal.
• • Patrick: Your my favorite. I won't lose you.
• • Patrick: Death is pure love.
• • Lucy: Sometimes I think I just should have come home, and made sure you went to college. You had so much potential.
  • Martha: I don't need your guidance now and I didn't then. I am a teacher and a leader. You just never let me be that, but now I am, and I know who I am.
  • Lucy: A teacher and a leader? What are you talking about?
• • Martha: You learned to measure success by money and possessions.
• • Martha: Patrick only has boys.

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