Martha Marcy May Marlene
Every year buzzed about films come out of the Sundance Film Festival. Many of the titles are never heard from again, but every once in a while one comes along that lives up to the hype. Joining the ranks of Sundance favorite’s like "Precious," "Martha Marcy May Marlene" is now available on Blu-ray and DVD with a near perfect set.
"Martha Marcy May Marlene" is a slow burning psychological thriller about a young girl who flees a cult in the Catskill Mountains. While trying to adjust back into a normal life with her estranged sister, she is haunted by memories and increased paranoia that there’s danger around every corner. Long after the credits start rolling, the film will stay with you.
The features on the Blu-ray help to bring the audience in deeper to the film. Included are a handful of featurettes directed at specific parts of the film. "Martha Marcy May Marlene" is unable to fully explore everything in the film, so it features "The Psyche of a Cult," and highlights its breakout star with "A Spotlight on Elizabeth Olsen." While a featurette is included as a conversation with the filmmakers, there is surprisingly no commentary to accompany the film.
Before the film hit Sundance, the filmmakers had made a short, "Mary Last Seen," showing how a young girl is first brought to the cult. In order to get the full impact of the short, it’s better to watch "Mary" after seeing "Martha." An interesting feature is the inclusion of a music video for "Marcy’s Song" as sung by actor John Hawkes. He is just as creepy here as in the film.
Anyone who is a fan of the film will be remiss not to get the Blu-ray of "Martha Marcy May Marlene." The collection of features gives you better insight into the film. Special features should enhance the movie watching experience, and that’s exactly what is done here.
Blu-ray Features include:
• "Mary Last Seen" short film
• "The Psyche of a Cult" feature
• Spotlight on Elizabeth Olsen
• The Story feature
• The Making of "Martha Marcy May Marlene"
• A Conversation with Filmakers
• "Marcy’s Song music video by John Hawkes
"Martha Marcy May Marlene"
Blu-ray
$25.99 retail price
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