Marmalade starts as a quirky rom-com, moves into an offbeat crime thriller, and then ends up being a heartfelt family drama, all without ever really committing to any genre. The combo surprisingly works, even if there’s more than one moment where the precarious balance that’s holding the movie together seems like it’s going to topple over.
If it all works out for the best it’s because of Joe Kerry and Camila Morrone. The two do their best with what, at times, is a very weird script. Aldis Hodge also gets props for being the eyes of the viewer. He’s, after all, the one asking the questions we all want to ask – and also the one getting the answers. He might not be getting quite the ones he wants, but there’s some comfort in getting some, in the end.
Morrone is on the verge of manic pixie girl and yet never truly there, and it’s on the strength of her performance alone that the character isn’t just a forgettable accessory to another broken boy. Sure, Marmalade might have a story, and the movie might be named after her, but girls like her still don’t get to tell these tales.
At the very least, this movie named after her doesn’t reduce her to a cliche. Or at least doesn’t give viewers a definitive answer about who Marmalade is. Because why should she have to be just one thing? She’s complicated, and she’s loving and she’s a little out there and sincere and maybe selfish and young and in love and also just tired of the hand she was dealt and desperate for a better life. Aren’t we all? Isn’t Baron?
Funnily enough, for about three-quarters of the movie, Baron isn’t nearly as interesting as Marmalade. And that’s the way it should be. That’s the way he wants it. The way the movie wants it. We’re listening to her story because she is the star. She’s gotta be. There’s no other possible option.
In a way, that’s the biggest twist of all. The movie makes us forget for a moment that Joe Kerry is a charismatic actor who can carry a scene or an entire project. But he is. And Marmalade is no different. The movie might be named after Morrone’s character, but make no mistake, Baron is just as important as Marmalade is. And Kerry’s performance as Baron is deliberately understated, that part is no fluke.
There are always two sides to every coin.
Marmalade is a surprising movie that doesn’t quite hit all the right notes, but that tries valiantly and succeeds more than it fails. It’s also good, easy-to-grasp social commentary that doesn’t actually pull any punches. On top of that, it’s also a fun tale about falling in love, letting go, and finding a little joy within yourself, even if that leads to some terrible decisions. We all gotta make those when we’re young, don’t we?
Marmalade is now available In Theaters & On Demand.
