Elizabeth Olsen stars in the haunting trailer for Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)

This film looks absolutely riveting.  Kudos to the editor(s) who crafted the trailer, as it features creepy music and slowly building yet palpable tension.  Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize (GJP) at and winning the Directing Award at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) looks like another gem of an independent film thriller in the vein of last year’s GJP and screenwriting winner at Sundance Winter’s Bone (2010).  Similar to “making” Jennifer Lawrence, this indie flick allows Elizabeth Olsen, younger sister of the famous Mary Kate and Ashley, to prove her acting chops as her performance has been regarded as one of the year’s best and will likely garner an Oscar nomination.  The other obvious comparison, other than the settings, is supporting actor John Hawkes who appears as a country creeper once again and also should garner awards recognition.  In all, Martha Marcy May Marlene is pretty high on my list of Most Anticipated Films.

The film is a rare blend of “dreams, memory and reality” that feature Martha trying to assimilate back into her family.  However, she is still haunted and increasingly paranoid after fleeing an abusive cult.  If it is similarly paced as Winter’s Bone, then not everyone will enjoy the film, but based on the preview, the film looks gripping.

Martha Marcy May Marlene – starring Elizabeth Olsen, John Hawkes, Sarah Paulson, and Hugh Dancy – will have a limited release on October 21, 2011 and hopefully open to larger audiences soon after.

 

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