Marmalade

I was taken aback by the simplicity of the characters until the journey Keir O'Donnell takes you on forced me to confront my own biases and judgements of those same characters. I realized that what I thought were tropes, were in fact, simulacrum. Not only was I challenged to remember the details, but I was left with a reflection on my biases of the pixie, the naive and gullible mark, and the hardened cop. The performances and tone from this vantage point are freaking remarkable. And for a director and writer to be able to establish a tone that is both surreal, irreal, and bi-real is a triumph.

Keir O'Donnell's charming debut film "Marmalade" is a delightful rollercoaster of comedy, throwing unexpected twists and turns that keep you on your toes. It's a tale of love, crime, and betrayal, yet it feels refreshingly new and exhilarating from the get-go.

Initially, I was skeptical, bracing myself for a cliché "boy meets bad girl, boy gets into trouble" storyline. But as the movie unfolds, it defies expectations at every corner, never ceasing to surprise until the very end.

The dynamic duo of Baron and Marmalade, portrayed by Keery and Morrone, electrify the screen. Keery's Baron starts off as a simple guy, content with his routine until Marmalade shakes up his world. Morrone embodies Marmalade with infectious energy, leading Baron into a whirlwind of excitement and danger. Yet beneath her playful facade lies a darker motive, adding depth to her character.

So, sit back, buckle up, and enjoy the wild ride of "Marmalade." It may not be what you anticipated, but that's all part of its charm.

Visit moviecity.ng for more fun reviews. Toodles.

If the movie seems familiar at first glance, the effect is intentional. Fledgling director Keir O'Donnell sets out to catch the audience by surprise, and succeeds more often than he fails. Just when you think the story is going somewhere, it zigs when it should zag. The result is actual honest-to-God entertainment, something most movies today seem to have overlooked. Camila Morrone is a find, rocking her role like a deranged Claire Danes, and the camera loves her. The audience will too. Hodge is one of those rare actors who literally cannot give a bad performance, and he holds up his end of the "deal," even with limited screen time. Recommended. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

This one was definitely a fun watch from start to finish. I really don't get surprised by movies very often, however I genuinely thrown off the trail of the true tale of the film, and every time I thought I had it figured out I'd be proven wrong.

It draws a lot of inspiration from a few very famous films, and gives you a few blatant tropes that at first make you roll your eyes a bit, but it all feels so deliberately just enough to make you confident in how wrong you are about the plot.

I am looking forward to watching this one again, for sure. All of the acting is fabulous, better than it might seem at first glance. It's a deceptively fabulous film. Don't judge this one on the surface alone, it's a great ride.

I thought this movie was absolutely terrific. It was fun, interesting, and refreshing, and any doubts or qualms I had with it in the beginning were resolved by the end.

In fact, a little ways into it I thought I had guessed then ending, and thought "wow, what a neat little concept." By the end, it had taken what I thought would happen and added a few twists, and really left me pleasantly surprised. I've seen plot progression similar to this before, but this really stuck the landing and left me wanting more (in a good way).

Some of the performances and character decisions do feel a little off in the beginning, but this makes sense at a certain point and becomes part of the charm.

As a directorial debut and possibly best performance yet by the rising Joe Keery, I have to go with a 10/10 for this one. I can't think of anything that would have enhanced it, and it all wrapped up in a satisfying, if not 100% original, way.

By the way, I only knew about this film because I follow Justin Long (apparently a friend of the director) on Instagram. Really curious as to how this gem slipped by with minimal promotion or recognition.