Martha Marcy May Marlene

Synopsis: MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE stars Elizabeth Olsen as Martha, a damaged
woman haunted by painful memories and increasing paranoia, who struggles
to re-assimilate with her family after fleeing a cult.

Release Date: October 7, 2011     MPAA Rating: PG-13

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller

Film Review

Presented as part of the new film series between Film Independent and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Martha Marcy May Marlene marks the second event in the series. The moderator for the evening was Elvis Mitchell, esteemed film critic and curator at Film Independent; and to the audiences delight quite friendly, engaging and funny with his opening address. After giving a brief synopsis of the film, and throwing in a well-received joke about star Elizabeth Olsen’s famous sisters, matters turned to watching the film in LACMA’s spacious Bing theatre.

Just under two hours later the crowd erupted in applause over Director/Writer Sean Durkin’s Martha Marcy May Marlene and as the credits rolled chairs were set up on stage for a Q&A session with Durkin, as well as the cast, including Elizabeth Olsen (Martha), John Hawkes (Patrick), Sarah Paulson (Lucy), and producer’s Josh Mond and Antonio Camps. The Q&A was lively, with Mitchell fully engaging the cast and crew with questions relevant to the storytelling and character development. Q&A’s can be, and anyone who has ever covered them or sat through one as a casual viewer will agree, painful. It was with great relief that Elvis Mitchell’s moderating, and the filmmakers and casts openness with the audience, made for a time that was far from painful–it was actually quite enjoyable and something I look forward to experiencing again with more films and events in the series. The match made in heaven of Film Independent and LACMA film has proven to be just heavenly.

Now about the film…

Please refer to the original feature written for this film: Film Rave: Martha Marcy May Marlene as presented by the LACMA/Film Independent Screening Series.

See original feature.

See original feature.

See original feature.

See original feature.

See original feature.

Cast and Crew

• Director(s): T. Sean Durkin
• Producer(s): Antonio CamposPatrick CunninghamChris MaybachT. Sean Durkin
• Screenwriter(s): Elizabeth Olsen (Martha)Sarah Paulson (Lucy)John Hawkes (Patrick)
• Story: Hugh Dancy (Ted)
• Cast: Brady Corbet (Watts) Zachary Stuart-PontierJody Lee LipesChad Keith
• Editor(s):
• Cinematographer: Daniel BensiSaunder Jurriaans
• Production Designer(s):
• Costume Designer: 
• Casting Director(s): 
• Music Score: 
• Music Performed By: 
• Country Of Origin: USA