It must be hard trying to make it in Hollywood when your sisters were the child stars of a billion dollar franchise. That is exactly the task facing Elizabeth Olsen, the ‘other’ Olsen sister whose older siblings, Mary-Kate and Ashley, were a global phenomenon with pre-teen audiences. Now in her early twenties, Elizabeth gets her debut starring role in a decidedly adult drama ‘Martha Marcy May Marlene’.
Olsen plays the title role of Martha, a young woman who escapes from a cult, and its leader (John Hawkes). She calls her sister (Sarah Paulson), whom has not seen her in two years, and goes to live with her and her husband (Hugh Dancy). Although seemingly safe, Martha’s state of mind is far from healthy, and a dangerous paranoia starts to creep over her that the cult may be close to capturing her again.
The first thing you think of when you watch this is the Jennifer Lawrence-starring ‘Winter’s Bone’ (young female lead, backwoods thriller, John Hawkes), and while it may not be quite as fantastic as that movie, the drama throws up a lot of intrigue, suspense and surprises. Director T. Sean Durkin exerts his presence on the mood of the film, creating terrifying silences and a general feeling of unease throughout the movie.
Olsen provides the surprise, serving up a performance that is vivid, unsettling and complex. Her eyes flicker around wildly, illustrating a mind unravelling without the need for long speeches or exposition. Hawkes is typically brilliant- it’s a testament to the range of the actor that this is a very different performance to his role in ‘Winter’s Bone’- there’s a dangerous charisma that both you towards him yet repells you at the same time.
A slightly flat ending aside, this is a fascinating delve into the dark side of psychology. Whilst most of the plaudits must go to Olsen for an astounding debut lead, ‘Martha Marcy May Marlene’ benefits from a promising and talented director who creates a low-fi, gritty psychological drama. It may be not be for everyone, but that’s part of what makes it so compelling.
Released 3rd February.
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