MovieChat Forums > Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) Discussion > What exactly is so 'electrifying' about ...

What exactly is so 'electrifying' about Elizabeth Olsen's performance?

posted 10 years ago by snickerdoodle68
4 replies | jump to latest

One of the reviews calls her performance a breakthrough and electrifying. Really? I felt that the bland character of Martha could've been played by any number of unknown actresses. But let's be honest here, the only reason Elizabeth won the role was because of her famous family name. In that regard she is not an unknown actress.

Olsen gave a decent performance, one that could've been done by anybody. Her performance was nothing memorable and certainly not electrifying. To me an "electrifying, breakthrough" performance would be akin to Angelina Jolie in "Gia".

This movie had a lot of potential but ultimately it's disappointing and the ending made me feel like I wasted my entire time waiting for something interesting to happen, and it never does. Shame.

[–] bakerstreetdozen 10 years ago

It's a great performance because it's such a beautifully controlled performance. It's subtle and contained -- which is enough to applaud on its own, because not every actor knows how to exercise that kind of control without coming off as simply wooden -- but it also shows a great amount of depth, shows the increasing emotional turmoil. All the while Olsen keeps that control and doesn't fly completely off the handle. No, not just anyone could have done that.

[–] DirectorzCut 9 years ago

Her mimic in the final scene is *beep* Oscar worthy.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] 9 years ago

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