Sweet, Sweet Marmalade
Film
Not much time passes before another film embodying the Bonnie and Clyde archetype pops up. It seems like every year there's a new star-crossed-lovers are incredibly violent-criminals show. Maybe there's some recency bias with Keir O'Donnell's Marmalade but the matter of fact is, Bonnie and Clyde is an inspiring story. Not in the sense of inspiring acts of violence, but inspiring artistic representation of love in complex ways. O'Donnell's directorial debut operates on that plane of representation. Showing love as a complicated mess of emotion and action, without promoting or romanticizing the lawlessness of two of the most notorious outlaws in American history.
Baron (Joe Keery), a literally down-on-his-luck guy, finds himself incarcerated and bunking with Otis (Aldis Hodge) for what are originally unknown reasons. But luckily for Baron, Otis is a renowned escapee, completing the feat three distinct times. After nudging Otis with a promise of $250k to help him escape, Baron recounts a winding tale of just how an affable dimwit such as himself ends up in a maximum security prison.
Just like Bonnie and Clyde, Baron's story starts and ends with his beloved Marmalade (Camila Morrone).
Structuring the story of Marmalade backward, with Baron narrating and Otis comedically interjecting at points, gives O'Donnell plenty of creative freedom with the feel of the film. At times it moves quickly, whereas in other moments the story and characters are given the time to live in their world, talk, and grip the audience. Baron's brief but fiery introduction to Marmalade is just the right speed to thrust their romance into the hearts of the audience. How can the beautifully aloof Marmalade simply stumble upon the small-town Baron? Let alone spark up a feverish romance that powers the film's heartbeat for the rest of its duration.
It's entirely due to O'Donnell's construction of characters over plot, along with Morrone and Keery's individually contrasting performances. Keery is laid back, casual, and always feels a step behind. Even reeling his "small town country" accent's cadence back a couple of beats to feel like he's just half a second too slow to say anything. Meanwhile, Morrone is the dictionary definition of a wildcard. From outfits to language, to well just about everything in between. She proved her performing abilities and some with her role in Daisy & The Six but she brings a completely different energy in Marmalade. An energy that is infectious, rapid, and undeniably intriguing. Morrone not only steals every scene but feasts in her character's morally complex and baffling psyche. Leaving the audience contemplating what could happen next.
But again, at the heart of it all is the Bonnie and Clyde romantic component. Morrone and Keery's chemistry is solid, delivering a heat of romance that further allows Baron's storytelling to operate on another level. He's not just telling Otis about the bank robbery that landed him in jail, but how he's willing to give all of that money to Otis just so he can be reunited with his beloved Marmalade.
How romantic, no?
However, even with Keery and Morrone delivering, and Hodge giving one of his best performances--more multi-faceted roles please--Marmalade struggles to keep a coherent overall tone. What starts as a romantic comedy in a way, turns into a crime drama, which somehow finds its way to just flat drama. The real gold is in the interactions of Baron, Marmalade, and Otis but unfortunately it never really feels like we get enough of them. O'Donnell's twists are aptly executed, keeping me well on the edge of my seat, but there's a hollow feeling at the end where there could've been something a little more. I wholly understand where Otis ends up, but it conflicts with who he really is and the trope of his lost motivation/rediscovery feels bland if not trite.
Even if Marmalade wasn't completely fleshed out, that doesn't mean that O'Donnell's directorial feature isn't a total blast. Keery, Morrone, and Hodge deliver plenty for any moviegoer to pull something from the film if not entirely enjoy the wild ride.
Froth
It's peak summertime so we may as well have a peak summertime beer. Well, that and the name is quite appropriate for reasons that I'm legally obligated not to divulge.
By that I mean I'm not giving away any spoilers.
Ravenna Brewing Company's Flip The Script is a delicious Hazy IPA that is not only light and drinkable on a hot summer day, but also jam packed with flavor. It's brewed with my kryptonite hop, Mosaic, giving it wonderful tropical taste like mango, stone fruit, and even some berries. But there's also a good bit of grapefruit tang, not the astronaut drink mind you, to pull back on the sweetness along with the smooth mouthfeel of a hazy to wrap it all in a blanket of delight. As Marmalade keeps on flipping the script on you, just sit back, relax, and sip on some summertime nectar.
Get it? Flipping the script? Sometimes I'm too funny.
