Director: Jerry Saks
Starring: Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton and Leonardo DiCaprio
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses have built a legacy as strong as Meryl Streep. Ever since her rise to fame in the 1980’s, Streep has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s political leaders, lovers or genocide’s survivors, Streep has portrayed many bold characters. Arguably, Streep’s best strength as an actress has always been her strong commitment to her craft. She is one of those rare actresses which has always had aptitudes for stealing show in supporting roles with limited screen time. Even when she isn’t the main focus of a film, Streep has left a lasting impression. Through ability to play characters which are compelling, Streep has established a strong legacy that’s lasting. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Streep has never lost her passions for entertainment. Throughout her lasting career, Streep has made countless memorable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Streep and adore all the films she has made in her career. However, “Marvin’s Room” is my favourite. Released in 1996, Jerry Zaks’ movie offered a strong portrait of dysfunctional families. Packed with breathtaking production, spellbinding storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about families. At centre of it all is a superb performance from Meryl Streep, who embodies a mother experiencing a terminal illness. Ultimately, what makes “Marvin’s Room” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most films about broken families, it tackles bold themes that everyone relates to. A riveting masterpiece about broken family, there are many strong reasons why “Marvin’s Room” is a film that’s worth watching.
“Marvin’s Room” tells a story of a leukaemia patient that struggles to care for a broken family without room. Meryl Streep portrays Lee Lacker, a woman that suffers from grim terminal illness causing disaster. Lee shares bond with her family which she loves dearly. However, Lee’s life drastically changes when she reunites with her long lost sister. Bessie (Diane Keaton) is a strong woman with bold personality which has impacted her bonds with her sister. Assisted by her previous son Hank (Leonardo DiCaprio), Lee endeavours to mend her broken relationship with sisters causing sorrow. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Lee questions whether it is possible for her to care for a broken family causing disaster.
Jerry Zaks is a newcomer to the stories of broken families. Before he made “Marvin’s Room”, Zaks had never made a film about dysfunctional families. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the hardship faced by a dysfunctional family but he pulled it off successfully. Through bold cinematography, Zaks captures a family enduring adversities. Evoking Robert Redford’s “Ordinary People”, Zaks uses closeups to capture a family that endures obstacles that prove to be painful. For instance, closeups enhance the family reunion scene. During this heartfelt scene, Lee has an emotional reunion with her sister causing tension. Using stunning closeups, Zaks creates a portrait of broken families that’s engaging. Closeups are complicated techniques. As James Cameron’s “Titanic” suggested, closeups enhance films about doomed ships. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using captivating visuals, Zaks captures tensions that broken families are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Marvin’s Room” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is well made. Evoking Barry Levinson’s “Rain Man”, Zaks uses the production of homes to capture the broken bonds between siblings. For instance, production of homes enhance the family argument scene. During this sad scene, Lee has a tense argument with her sister in her home causing tension. Using stunning production, Zaks creates a bold portrait of sisters. Furthermore, the music score is superb. Rachel Portman’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing heavy burden which broken families bear. Through stunning production design, Zaks captures broke families that decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Marvin’s Room” is a movie about a broken family that’s engaging. The film is extremely well written, and uses silence to capture the lives of broken families enduring tension. For instance, silence elevates the family farewell scene. During this memorable scene, Lee bids emotional farewell to her family which causes her tension. Through silence, Zaks crafts a portrait of broken families which audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a complex technique. As Alejandro Gonzales Innaritu’s “The Revenant” claimed, silence elevates movies about survival. However, it works immensely in this film. Through a bold screenplay, Zaks captures broken families that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Meryl Streep delivers one of her best career performances as Lee. Streep earned praise portraying women in broken marriages. With “Marvin’s Room”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a woman in broken marriages facing tragedy, but she succeeded tremendously. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. With extraordinary expressions, Streep captures the ambition, bravery and resentment of a woman which faces broken marriages. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most iconic actresses today.
While the film is mainly a strong showcase for Meryl Streep, the supporting cast is also superb and worthy of recognition. Leonardo DiCaprio is dazzling, capturing the sorrow of a teenager struggling to mend broken bond with family at a crushing low. Diane Keaton is captivating, bringing compassion towards a woman struggling to cope with a doomed sibling relationship causing tension. Lastly, Robert De Niro merits appreciation. As a doctor, he brings wisdom to the movie.
Finally, “Marvin’s Room” would earn praise of everyone for capturing families that seek room. Unlike most films about dysfunctional families, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes such as ambition, family and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the lives of broken families to appreciate it. Therefore, “Marvin’s Room” is one of those rare movies about dysfunctional families that everyone would adore.
Fans of Meryl Streep would definitely enjoy “Marvin’s Room” and so would audiences seeking exhilarating entertainment. A bold family drama, it honours an actress that has charisma.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a powerful film about a dysfunctional family that faces obstacles that are painful, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actress that has created memorable movies throughout her career which audiences commonly consider special.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 