The main pair in Sam Levinson’s ‘Malcolm & Marie’ is fiercely accomplished in the eyes of the public. But Malcolm (John David Washington) is an insecure man who seeks continual reinforcement, even from his beau Marie (Zendaya), who is brutally honest and an active critic of everything Malcolm has envisioned as a filmmaker, inside the four walls of his opulent home.
They shut their doors to the outside world after returning from the premiere of his latest film, giving an intimate glimpse into their difficult relationship. During the course of one night, an initially frivolous disagreement about Malcolm failing to thank Marie in his speech evolves into something deeper and worse. Their issues can be traced back to their own flaws, which have harmed their relationship in some way. If you can’t get enough of this film, check out this list of more films with similar topics. The majority of these films, such as ‘Malcolm & Marie,’ are available on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime.
Before Midnight (2013)
‘Before Midnight,’ directed by Richard Linklater, recounts the narrative of Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy), now 41 years old. The two had met long ago, when they were both drifting in the languidness of youth, with so many dreams yet to be realized. Years after they were last seen in Julie’s Paris apartment, the film continues. They now engage in-depth discussions about parenting, and for the first time, they’re shown conversing with other couples, both younger and older, about love, marriage, and romance. The obvious parallel between this film and ‘Malcolm & Marie’ is the immensely fascinating dialogue that immerses the protagonists in deep introspection.
Certified Copy (2010)
‘Certified Copy’ is about a woman (Juliette Binoche) who invites a famous novelist James Miller (William Shimell) to spend some time with her. The two then spend the day together in a rural Tuscan village, discussing their uninhibited emotions and thoughts. The talk between them gradually evolves into a character study based on their shared experiences, but they quickly come to terms with the weight of their history. ‘Malcolm & Marie’ is a chat between two persons who have been injured by each other on a regular basis. Both of these films are based on true stories that explore interpersonal connections.
In the Mood for Love (2000)
The novel presents its characters, Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung) and Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung), who are brought together by loneliness and are considered no less than modern-day art pieces by Wong Kar-wai. Both of them are disregarded by their respective lovers, so they seek solace in each other’s company to soothe the agony in their hearts. They form a friendship based only on intimate dialogues and profound understanding over time. The couple’s emotional complexities are portrayed in gorgeous graphics and a powerful tale. In ‘Malcolm & Marie,’ the substance is equally conveyed through powerful dialogue delivery.
‘Lost in Translation’ is set amid Japan’s towering environment, where fate brings two strangers together (Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray). They confide in each other and grow close over time as active viewers of their own lives and the flaws that weary them. These characters are engulfed by a sense of completeness, and their link is so deep that they never feel the need to express it physically. The film’s frequent heart-to-heart exchanges between its protagonists are reminiscent to ‘Malcolm & Marie,’ while the latter focuses on relationship issues.
Queen & Slim (2019)
‘Queen & Slim’ appears to be more of a dramatic thriller on the surface, but the plot is clearly held together by the chemistry between the eponymous Queen (Daniel Kaluuya) and Slim (Jodie Turner-Smith). They meet on an unpleasant first date, which quickly evolves into a murder when they shoot a police officer in self-defense. The two are then on the run, and throughout their time evading the cops, they contemplate on the political ramifications of being black. The protagonists in ‘Malcolm & Marie’ had a disagreement about his film, which is partially based on Marie’s experiences as a black woman. In ‘Queen & Slim,’ the idea of “romance meets socio-political consciousness” is also prevalent.
Sylvie’s Love (2020)
‘Sylvie’s Love’ is a period drama about Sylvie (Tessa Thompson), who is waiting for her fiancé, who is serving in the Korean War, inside her father’s record store. She meets gorgeous saxophonist Bobby (Nnamdi Asomugha) while seeking for the latest Thelonious Monk album one day while looking for the latest Thelonious Monk record. The two start flirting over their favorite albums while struggling with a life that stops them from living happily ever after together. The film follows the progression of their relationship in a similar way to ‘Malcolm & Marie,’ which depicts the characters’ waning love for each other through an intense dialogue.
The Photograph (2020)
‘The Photograph’ is about Michael Block (Lakeith Stanfield), a frustrated New York journalist who finds love while on assignment. He flies to Louisiana to document the story of Isaac, a crab fisherman who has been estranged from Christina, a successful photographer. He notices the woman in a photograph at Isaac’s house and decides to research her.
When he meets Christina’s estranged daughter, Mae, the story begins (Issa Rae). They hit it off right away, but being together isn’t easy for the couple, as they face numerous roadblocks on their way to happiness. The protagonists of ‘Malcolm & Marie’ likewise struggle with relationship issues brought on by a toxic dynamic. Both couples struggle with the age-old dilemma of “love vs career.”
