One for the critics, a movie on filmmaking

Malcolm & Marie

Cast: Zendaya, John David Washington Director: Sam Levinson Duration: 1 h 46 m Available: Netflix

This film is an acute study of the horrors of systemic racism in the mental healthcare industry.

No, that’s not true. That’s actually a line from Malcolm & Marie, which takes place in the wee hours of the morning, after a film première attended by up-and-coming director Malcolm elliot (John david Washington) and his girlfriend, Marie (zendaya).

When the couple first gets home, Malcolm unleashes a rant about how the mostly liberal, wealthy gatekeepers of cinematic taste — he has particular vitriol for “the white girl from the L.A. Times” — will insist on viewing his movie through a lens of race politics that they have predefined.

Marie listens calmly whiling making a simple pot of macaroni and cheese. When Malcolm has calmed himself down, she brings up her own concern — namely, that he forgot to thank her after the screening.

This might be an even bigger faux pas than writer-director Sam Levinson makes it out to be. Oscar-watchers are keenly aware of stars who omit their significant others from thank-you speeches.

All of which is to say that Malcolm & Marie is a very movie-aware movie. Malcolm name-drops barry Jenkins and Spike Lee, questions the choices of directors like billy Wilder (a Jew celebrating Lindbergh?) and alternately honours and deflates his status as a black filmmaker, at one point wondering if he could make a Lego movie, and whether he might choose to call it 40 Legos and a Mule. If you’re into movies, this will enthrall.

but the movie also has the ability to exhaust and even frustrate. Taking place in what is essentially real time, it shifts gears more often than Mario Andretti. It certainly has energy, with the two stars giving it their all. but there were times when I wanted it to settle down just a little. ★★★