Martha Marcy May Marlene DVD Review

Martha Marcy May Marlene is the best film that I saw in 2011, and it is now being released on DVD. This drama succeeds at doing what most horror films attempt and fail to do: it creates a tension in the viewer that never abates from the opening frames right to the end. From its opening static shots of people going about their work on the farm, this film is tense. The first shot with any camera movement is the first shot of Martha, which is interesting for it is she who will soon flee the cult.

But though she leaves, she never really gets away. For her mental state is completely affected by her time there. And while her body may be in one place, her mind is still trapped in another, as demonstrated by the film's cutting back and forth between her sister's house and the farm where the cult members live. Though the farm scenes are mostly flashbacks, they don't feel that way because it's all happening simultaneously to Martha. There is no progression or track of time for her. As on the farm, there are no clocks. I love how in several scenes it takes us a moment to figure out which location Martha is in - just as it seems she herself often forgets.

Her sister's house is in Connecticut, three hours from where she picked Martha up. As soon as you learn this, you can't help but think what Martha is probably herself thinking: Not far enough. And the girl is so traumatized and disengaged from what most of us consider reality that she can't even communicate the danger to her sister. Which makes it all the more intense.

Part of this film's power and emotional impact comes from its silences. It doesn't hit us over the head with some overwrought score, highlighting each emotional high point. It allows a heavy silence to speak and draw the viewer further in.

For those who have read up on Charles Manson, a lot of this film's elements will be familiar. When the movie was released, I attended a Q&A with the writer/director and the producers. At the Q&A, Sean Durkin said that the Manson story was his starting point in researching cults. After the Q&A, I talked with him further about that, and he told me what he learned was that all cults follow that same pattern, implementing the same tactics. Tactics like a change of names (thus the film's title), little food, early wake-up calls, lack of clocks, communal clothing, and so on.

One of the scariest scenes is when Martha "handles" a new female recruit, Sarah. She is so indoctrinated that she in fact indoctrinates someone else, telling Sarah the same things that were said to her when she arrived.

This film has some astounding performances, particularly by Elizabeth Olsen as Martha Marcy May Marlene and John Hawkes as Patrick, the cult's leader. I also love the look of the film. The shots are so thoughtfully and carefully composed.

When you watch this film, do not allow yourself any distractions. Turn the phone off. If you have children, put them to bed.

The DVD special features include the short film Mary Last Seen, which is a sort of companion piece to the film, depicting the arrival of a girl named Mary. Before the short film begins, cards tell us a bit about the short, including that its budget was a mere five hundred dollars. Incredible.

Martha Marcy May Marlene was written and directed by Sean Durkin. It is being released on DVD and Blu-ray on February 21, 2012.