 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Martha Marcy May Marlene
- Review Date: October 21, 2011
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Disquieting indie drama reveals the cost of cult life.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this superb indie psychological drama about a young woman's return to her family after years spent with a cult is both deeply engrossing and disturbing, with heavy themes of alienation, family estrangement, and trauma. Young women are sexually assaulted -- the scenes aren't graphic, but they are upsetting -- and a violent crime is committed. Characters drink, smoke (covertly), swear ("s--t," "f--k," and more), and display an unsettling alienation that comes from being traumatized.
What's the story?
Two years after she drops out of her sister Lucy's (Sarah Paulson) life, unreachable and untraceable, Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) reappears, calling, perturbed, from a phone booth. So begins the fragile reunion between the two, and Martha's attempt to settle into a reality that no longer feels ordinary. Martha's inability to readjust perplexes Lucy, who's now married (to an architect named Ted, played by Hugh Dancy). Little does Lucy know that all the time they were apart, Martha -- aka Marcy May -- was living on a farm with a cult of young adults led by a guitar-playing, book-loving, menacing older man named Patrick (John Hawkes). Memories of Martha's stay intrude at moments both major and mundane, threatening to destroy her homecoming.
Is it any good?
The most stunning thing about MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE is that it's the product of a first-time director working with a first-time leading actress, a debut combination that could have, in less able hands, resulted in a forgettable (or worse) mess. What we have instead is a film that will surely launch the pair -- Sean Durkin and Elizabeth Olsen (sister of Ashley and Mary-Kate) into grander stages of their respective careers, because this is quite an astonishing accomplishment.
Moody, malevolent, and still deeply empathetic, Martha Marcy May Marlene (which was a huge hit at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival) doesn't dare judge Martha's life; it simply presents it. And that's more than enough. The horrors of her stay with Patrick's crew aren't made obvious; its treacherousness compiles until it strangles. Olsen makes great use of the movie's many near-silent moments, letting the camera linger on her face -- which switches from stoic to troubled on a dime. The movie only falters when it forgets to stay delicate, introducing a criminal element that's unnecessary. Can't cult experiences be grievous without them? The damage and dissonance that such isolation exacts is material enough.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why Martha joined Patrick's group. Was she aware that it was a cult, or is this a realization that comes later? How are cults typically portrayed in the media? Do you think they're ever glamorized?
Are the characters and their reactions/decisions believable? Why or why not? Are any of them intended to be role models?
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AGE
Fascinating Movie, Wildly Inappropriate
Before we start, it should be known that this Martha Marcy May Marlene is an amazing and breath-taking, and the acting is beautiful. However, we strongly note that it is very inappropriate for children and most teens. Rape, sex, a brutal murder, explicit language, and brainwashing are present in the movie. While there is not excessive graphic imagery, if a child is at least ages 10-11 (depending on how aware they are of sex) will probably realize what is going on.
You see, the daughter part of this duo saw this at age 12. We were in a different (but English speaking) country, and in the newspapers there were no ratings. We were out with some family, and did not have access to this or any other American review sites. When we called the theater, we were told that it was okay for 13 and up. The review in the newspaper said absolutely nothing about the sex or violence, and we judged it okay to see with this mature 12 year old.
HUGE mistake! When we've done this before (let the daughter see a movie recommended for an older audience, like PG-13), we've had American ratings and proper newspaper and online reviews.
So unless you are in a foreign country, you have no excuse for the mistake of letting your child under 16 see this movie : )
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AGE
cult
My 2 year old son really enjoyed the horrors of cult life
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Intense look at cult life!
I mainly viewed for the third Olsen sister, Elizabeth, because I was so curious of her potential. Wow, what a fantastic actress! Nothing like her sisters. I found the film to be very interesting yet very intense. It has very mature themes that should only be viewed by mature older kids and adults. It's basically about a young woman (E. Olsen) who escapes a cult and deals with the aftermath. She gets caught between her past and present and lives a very fearful life causing her to be paranoid about being found by the cult members she escaped from. What she had learned from her cult-living life has caused her to be completely unaware of what's right and wrong - so living with her sister isn't much easier as they try to figure out what is wrong with her and why she acts the way she does. It's a little slow most of the time but in a good way. There's some violence (a graphic murder), strong sexual content (rape, sex scenes, nudity) and some language but not much. Certainly not for young viewers - Elizabeth Olsen is on the road to an amazing acting career!
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| Studio: | Fox Searchlight |
| Director: | Sean Durkin |
| Cast: | Elizabeth Olsen, John Hawkes, Sarah Paulson |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 101 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 21, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | February 21, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | disturbing violent and sexual content, nudity and language |
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