February 2021

‘Malcolm & Marie’ Holds Up A Mirror

When a relationship becomes a Hall of Mirrors, your true self becomes nearly impossible to identify. Surrounded by projections, reflections go from affirming to haunting. It’s often easier to lash out, creating fresh wounds—or reopening existing ones—than to heal. The brutal examination that is Malcolm & Marie is a thing of jagged beauty. The chatter about the film says so much about us, though: “Zendaya doesn’t even look like she’s of age next to John David Washington.” “All they do is argue the whollle tiiiime.” “Did she really think she was cooking?” “It’s 40 minutes too long.” I get the superficial quips and dismissive hot takes. This...