FELL FOR IT HOOK, LINE AND SINKER
Movie Review – Marmalade
Review by Ray Schillaci
Writer/director Keir O’Donnell’s debut may have delivered the sleeper of the year with his wild, sweet and at times aggravating film. But, no matter what, by the time the end credits roll you cannot resist loving Marmalade and you will want to watch it over again with friends and some discerning family. It’s part updated version of a goofy Bonnie & Clyde mixed in with a little Coen Brothers’ Raising Arizona and Jonathan Demme’s cult hit Something Wild.
I only mention those films to try and get a grasp of Marmalade. The script feels fresh, funny and, as mentioned, aggravating in the beginning. I’ll get to why in a moment. The movie and its cast is so quick-witted that you can’t come out of it without a sh*t eating grin.
In the beginning we see Baron, a young soft-spoken, half-wit, innocent from a small town stepping into a penitentiary. Fresh meat to all the prisoners. The first thing that comes to mind is what could he have possibly done to get in here. Well, that story eventually comes out to his bad ass cellmate, Otis, who actually has some pity for the poor fool because they both have mommy issues.
But, what really prompts Baron to tell Otis his tale of woe is that aside from his other felonies, he has broken out of three separate jails and already has plans to leave the one they’re in. Baron tells him that if he helps him out as well, he has $250,000 he will gladly give to him just so he can reunite with the love of his life…Marmalade.
This all sounds very suspect and Otis being the street person he is doubts the kid until he unravels the whole story. Baron relays to him how he lost his job at the post office for not cutting his long hair, how he couldn’t find other work, the cost of his bedridden mother’s drugs that she relies onto live have skyrocketed and he was behind on everything.
He went to the park and laid on the grass, looking up at the sky, feeling like it was the end until an angel hovered over in a fancy car, stepped out, grinned with a big beautiful smile and wild pink hair. Had he died and gone to heaven? Cause she was the prettiest thing he ever laid eyes on. No, he was very much alive and she stopped by to see if he was dead. It’s a funny and awkward moment, one of many as Marmalade invites the sweet innocent Baron into her wild, carefree life style.
She takes a liking to him. Wants him to show her around town. He takes her to a rock quarry and they swap life stories. Marmalade relays how she was a victim of the foster care system and basically has no one. Baron talks about caring for his sick mother, who is all he has. This touches Marmalade.
She decides to show him how much fun it is to be spontaneous and not have a care in the world. Baron falls hard for her, especially when she tells him she wants to meet his mother, Eda. Mother can barely communicate, but we can tell that she’s not too happy about this scruffy wild thing in her son’s life and in her house. Since Marmalade has nowhere to stay, Baron offers his place and that begins the intensity of a very fast paced romance.
But, there is always the lingering part about the dim future ahead for Baron and his mother. He tells Marmalade that he’s trying to figure out a way to make money. He thinks of renting his room, but then where would Marmalade stay? Instead, Marmalade quite convincingly suggests robbing a bank. She promises no one will get hurt and she can help him plan it all out.
Throughout the planning stages it seems as if Baron’s heart is not into it. He keeps having second thoughts and hilariously messes the plans up, causing setbacks. To keep him in track, Marmalade keeps asking him if he truly loves her and that what they’re doing is what’s best for his mom. She is a total manipulator.
That’s the part that is aggravating in the beginning, how dim-witted Baron is. His Southern drawl, the way he carries himself with no confidence, he is the ultimate sad sack. He’s almost painful to watch. On the other hand, Marmalade is a ball of fire. You have no idea what she’s about to do next. She’s also a whirlwind of pain and emotions, and actress/model Camila Morrone (Daisy Jones & The Six) pulls it all off beautifully. Half way through the film as we watch Baron struggle with the morality of it all, the aggravation dissipates and he eventually wins our heart, thanks to a brilliant performance by Joe Keery from Stranger Things.
Their are so many enjoyable twists and turns in Keir O’Donnell’s script that there are several times when you think the film is going to end and then he throws in a gotcha moment. Also, the character of Otis is so well written and played by Aldis Hodge. He is street tough, down-to-earth, wise and has a subtleness all his own helping us along with this fantastic ride that Marmalade provides for us.
Visit Ray’s blog at themonsterinmyhead.com
Directed by: Keir O’Donnell
Release Date: February 9, 2024
Run Time: 100 Minutes
Country: United Kingdom
Distributor: Signature Films/Tea Shop Productions
