Marilyn (2018) User Reviews

Disconcerting and upsetting

[laduqesa · 8/10 · 15 October 2020]

We are far from cosmopolitan Buenos Aires here. Out in the pampas, unconventional desires are savagely subjugated either by social ostracism and worse or internally. Marcos will have none of it. He's quite clear that he's gay and is feeling his way to a realisation of his desires while walking the tightrope of local disapproval.

Early in the film his dreams of providing for his family are shattered and dangerous outside events impinge on his family's ability to make a living. Nonetheless, he tries to be happy with his accomplice Laura who helps him as much as she can.

Local lads, as the plot outline states, mock and torment him and taunt him with the nickname Marilyn. It doesn't help that one of them is closeted and is therefore the most hateful of all.

As things get more and more difficult at home, Marcus's one shot at breaking free and revealing himself properly to his family fails and the oppression becomes overt. At the same time, penury halts interaction with the outside world. A leper in his own household, his misery is complete.

I didn't see the ending coming. When it happens it's swift and brutal. I actually sat through the credits in shock at what had happened.

For me, this is a one-time film. I wouldn't watch it again. However, the excellence of the acting and the intricacies of the well-observed plot made it a memorable experience. I'm glad I found this film and watched it.

Surprisingly good

[RoyMince · 8/10 · 28 September 2023]

This movie is daring and takes all kinds of risk that actually happen in real life and crams it into about an hour and 15 minutes. Some of the obstacles that we as humans face on a day-to-day basis, set us on this wild, impactful, roller coaster ride, that is never ending. The cast and crew do a wonderful job, putting on a wonderful display of real life occurrences in the struggles that beat the people go through on a daily basis. This film was a pleasure to watch and I definitely recommend it to our. You definitely keep an open mind and when it comes to independent filmmaking, you have to keep in mind that the directors or Director has a vision and you have to try to get in their shoes to have the full understanding of their direction! Two thumbs up!

a real and masterful pace

[casey-39573 · 10/10 · 31 July 2019]

I've never seen something with the pace of this film. It builds slowly and quietly, punctuated close to the beginning with one shocking & horrible moment that the main character Marcos keeps to himself. The whole time, you get very little verbally from Marcos, but you see his face as he processes the things that happen to him and as he receives no sympathy from those around him, and the effect is that you feel for his journey deeply. This film is quiet, mirroring the silent disdain and disinterest that Marcos receives, until an ending that left me wide eyed, jaw-dropped, and with chills all up my body. I never expected the ending but when I saw it happen I quickly remembered all the elements of the story that point to an ending like this making perfect sense.

Honestly kinda sucked

[cherryred-42660 · 3/10 · 19 January 2021]

I was expecting more out of the film. I gave it a 3 because the Main character's Acting was great but the whole show was completely boring. I nearly fell asleep a few times, and the only reason I didn't turn it off was I hoped it would "get better soon"... it never did. There was virtually no attachment to the characters and honestly I wouldn't watch it again. If you are looking for a serious coming of age movie about sexuality watch Mysterious Skin, it is 1000% better than this movie.

A remarkable, powerful film

[chatwithmichaelmac · 10/10 · 10 October 2020]

This is a film-lovers film. The lead actor, Walter Rodriguez, delivers a truly extraordinary performance as a young man destined to parent himself. Although it is a desolate tale of an emotionally abandoned child discovering his homosexuality amidst a sea of hate, it packs one hell of a punch. It builds gently but still desperately to an unexpected yet understandable conclusion. A film that will stay with you. Highly recommended.

A proper little gem

[eltoca21 · 10/10 · 28 December 2021]

This is a fantastic movie. It bubbles along nicely and you feel like a fly on the wall watching Marcos life take place. It feels like an authentic and real cultural slice of life into social and rural Argentina. The trailer says it is "inspired by true events" which makes it all the more fascinating curious and interesting... something I definitely want to find out more about.

A very strong and moving film

[johannes2000-1 · 10/10 · 25 July 2023]

This is a remarkable and very moving film. It's not your usual coming-out-as-gay story, since there is not some kind of Werdegang, or even an actual coming out into the open. On the contrary, all of Marcos's attempts to even temporarily break free and try to be himself are harshly thwarted by his strict and dominating mother, and by the ridicule (and even abuse) by some neighboring thugs. The atmosphere in this desolate outskirt of rural Argentina is suffocatingly conservative, sentiments are not allowed for Marcos and his mother and elder brother; it's only work on the dilapidated farm that counts, to try and survive yet another day.

The pace is slow, but due to the clever editing with very short takes the story unfolds in a constant flow, towards an unavoidable tragic conclusion. Dialogues are scarce, the exasperated mother (impressively played by Catalina Saavedra) only gives monosyllabic orders to her docile sons, and Marcos himself hardly utters any words. But young Walter Rodríguez all the more poignantly shows with his face and his attitude all Marcos's inner turmoils and longings and fears.

As other reviewers, I was totally in shock by the end. Sure, I was expecting some sad conlusion (Marcos leaving everything behind him, maybe even suicide), but not this! Apparently the film is based on a true story, so I guess it simply had to be like this. Director Redondo stopped the movie right then and there, making the impact even heavier.