martha marcy may marlene (miff film #12)

Creepy creepy creepy creepy. I mean, any film about a cult is going to be creepy, but Martha Marcy May Marlene was extra creepy. Director, Sean Durkin won best director for this film at Sundance. That, coupled with an Olsen (Elizabeth!) made me add this film to my list. I had no idea what it was about until a day or so before seeing it when someone mentioned it was ‘the one about the cult’. Right.

For me, I think, the film was all about the amazing cinematography and direction. Each shot was beautiful and the director really did create a certain atmosphere that was felt by everyone in the cinema. I had to actually tell myself to start breathing again after some scenes and the rest of the time I flitted between feeling claustrophobic, uncomfortable and utterly on edge. And everything I felt was completely apt for the subject matter of the film. Brilliant.

The acting was terrific as well. John Hawkes was suitably creepy as the cult leader, Elizabeth Olsen holds her own and is mesmerizing in each shot, and Sarah Paulson is a standout (with Hugh Dancy thrown in for some eye candy). I also have to say that the Catskill mountains were a character unto themselves. They were terrifying, haunting but also a little intriguing when you think about the kind of fucked up shit that goes on there.

3 stars!