MARMALADE
Starring: Joe Keery, Camila Morrone, and Aldis Hodge
Director: Keir O’Donnell
PAIGE
With a quirky and twisted storyline reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde, Marmalade is undoubtedly a wild and entertaining journey throughout its entire runtime. It’s a bizarre yet eccentric heist tale from first-time writer/director Keir O'Donnell, who seems to be having a blast bringing this story to life. Plus, the flick is filled with unconventional performances from Joe Keery and Camila Morrone, which allows their talent to radiate off the screen. These over-the-top characters are what make this movie worth watching.
AMARÚ
Keir O’Donnell clearly had a blast writing his directorial debut Marmalade, as made evident by how committed Joe Keery, Camila Morrone, and Aldis Hodge are in their hyper-stylized roles. It’s their performances that keep you locked into this entertaining yet run-of-the-mill romp. Combining the over-the-top characters with frenetic camera work and energetic pacing prevents the surface-level character development and story beats from losing your interest for too long (though the second act comes close). Cutting about 10 minutes off its 99-minute runtime might have helped, but Marmalade is still a cool little watch.
KATIE
Keir O'Donnell’s directorial debut, Marmalade, is a colourfully vibrant and unapologetically fun thriller featuring fittingly extravagant performances from its dedicated cast. Despite some uneven pacing, the film eventually redeems itself enough to rescue my waning interest, which was a tad frustrating since it felt like it was treading water up to that point, wasting its potential. Although it won’t leave a significant impact, overall, this is a genuinely surprising and entertaining little thriller with a compelling plot and engaging characters.
