MARMALADE
US, 2024, 99 minutes, Colour.
Joe Keery, Camila Morrone, Aldis Hodge, Wayne Duvall.
Directed by Keir O'Donnell.
Writer-director, Keir O’Donnell, grew up in Australia, had success in the United States as an actor and comedian, and has brought some of this ironic talent to this screenplay.
The film focuses on Joe Keary (Stranger Things), a rather dimwitted young man, in prison after being arrested for robbery, sharing his cell with Otis (Aldis Hodge) and planning an escape with him. And there are flashbacks to his story, love for his sick mother, a chance encounter with a flamboyant young woman, Marmalade, entranced by her, bringing her home. Camila Morrone a is a very striking Marmalade.
The first half of the film consists of the discussions in the cell and the flashbacks. And, then there is quite an unexpected twist. Spoiler alert!
It turns out that the cellmate is an FBI chief who has been trying to track Marmalade for two years after several robberies. He has a support squad, the hostile local policeman in whose jurisdiction the robbery took place. And, there is a collaboration of one of the guards who is part of the team, forever quoting Shakespeare.
The second half of the film has Baron continuing his story for his cellmate, the plans for the robbery, titles up on screen to indicate stakeouts, surveillance, masks (and their stealing them, tri-faced masks which are rather disconcerting to look at), the actual robbery, and Baron and the getaway – but, wallowing in the money, the police arriving and Baron’s arrest, planning to meet Marmalade the next day after his escape.
There is the police pursuit, various leads, Baron buying pharmaceuticals for his mother after a phone call from prison, the police getting more and more frustrated, Baron leaving a message which partly reveals his motivation. And, the final twist, looking at photos from the robberies in the past, and the discovery of who Marmalade actually was!
Initially interesting but not outstanding – but, after the twists, quite a ride!
- The title and expectations, the character, and name, behaviour?
- The prison setting, details of cells, corridors? On the road, the robberies and setting them up? Homes? The musical score?
- The first half of the film, the setup for Baron, his story, the flashbacks, Marmalade, her story, the plans? The need for escape? Otis as cellmate, listening, supportive?
- Otis, his character, the cell, his manner, listening, the money, the plan? And a twist midway through?
- Baron, his age, long hair, sad story, considered as slow-witted, the glimpses of his childhood, Otis hurrying him on, his sick mother and support, the paper delivery, his being sacked because of his long hair? The encounter with Marmalade, the impact, swept off his feet, travelling with her, at home, with his mother, her plans, the idea of the robbery?
- The script twist half way through, Otis and the FBI, the guard at the cell quoting Shakespeare, the other members of the investigation squad, for two years, chasing Marmalade, her bank robberies? The local policeman and his opposition?
- The further story, Baron infatuated with Marmalade, the sexual encounter, Marmalade and her personality, age, dress, manner, stories, laughter, erratic? The details of the plan, the headings on screen, stakeouts, casing banks, safe houses, strategies…? And the actual robbery, Baron as the getaway driver? At home, the money, the arrival of the police, the arrest? Marmalade and her getaway, the plan for 3.30 the next afternoon?
- Otis, the arrangement of Baron’s escape, the laundry basket, the keys of the car, going to his rendezvous?
- Otis and his squad, the pursuit, Baron visiting his mother’s grave, and to the ice cream parlour, their chasing the car, Baron disappeared, the local driving the car? Going to the ticket office, the message?
- Baron, cutting his hair, the phone call from prison, the police tapping it, the pharmaceuticals?
- The background stories, Baron’s mother, Marmalade and the foster homes? The police going to the pharmaceutical boss, his anger, the truth about him, his arrest?
- The final twist, the truth about Marmalade, the truth about Baron, the money, the pharmaceuticals, going to visit his mother?
- The first half interesting but unexceptional, the difference coming in the second half with all the twists and the revelation about Marmalade, the photos, Baron and his spinning the whole tale?
