worth our time? - Mary and Martha (2013) Discussion

[–] dreid234 11 years ago

It's a good movie as long as you shut part of your brain off. Three or four silly moments that kind of made me cringe but worth a spin.

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[–] ajprice-1 11 years ago

You are right. We did watch it. My mother, who has traveled to Africa, thought parts of it were dead-on in regard to the reality of the situation. The actors breathed belief into some questionable dialogue and plot turns.

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[–] Prismark10 11 years ago

There are dashings of worthiness trowelled on but still the acting pulls it through.

Its that man again!!

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[–] fritzerbuster 11 years ago

The issue of malaria in Africa is certainly an interesting, important topic and worthy of being explored in a film, but I felt this particular movie handled it in a very ham-fisted way. The dialogue is especially atrocious and really makes one almost completely unable to empathize with the characters. Everybody constantly speaks in these little pithy sayings that sound like messages from fortune cookies, and sometimes, they will go off on these forced-sounding expository monologues in places where people in real life would probably say nothing. Overall, these faults in the script make for a very obnoxious movie, which is a shame given the subject matter.

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[–] ajprice-1 11 years ago

Well said.

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[–] milbankj 11 years ago

I found this a pretty good, moving "message movie". I was attracted initially by the cast, then by the fact that it was directed by Phillip Noyce, who's no slouch. I had no idea that Africa was involved, until the moment Mary decided to take her boy there. None of the elements I've mentioned- message, cast, director, Africa- let me down. I've been to Africa quite a few times, so am only too aware that the movie's message is sorely needed in the developed world. Of course, there are those who know it all and who don't need to be told. A good example might be those who tell us in another thread without doubt that a malaria vaccine exists and is a simple, easily available solution to the problem. I can't wait for them to ask their doctors for a "shot" because they want to visit some place where malaria is a risk. Then there are those who find fault with the script and the colour of the main characters. Frankly, who cares about either?

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[–] first-things-first 11 years ago

I am not sure what the writer wanted viewers to learn. Was it that all lives are not long novels, but short stories, Ben and George. That America, although first in the world for Malaria support, misses the goal by over-achieving? Why not buy more nets, since a vaccine is not probable? That Americans miss the smaller picture in our attempts to see the big picture? Mary's attempts to show George the world, versus understanding the risk of that decision. You can get Malaria even if you are prepared.

Being a mom, I cried during most of the movie, because of the lost of life, and the emotions I felt due to this loss. It moved me to make the decision to support Malaria relief to help the world, while concentrating on soup kitchens at home.

HOME: A New Beginning, Where You Can Find A Little Piece Of Heaven On Earth

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[–] goleafsgo27 11 years ago

Well I just watched it and give it a tentative 8/10. Story was captivating, acting was top-notch, especially by Swank and Blethyn (as expected), and I've not yet read anything to convince me that the story was bogus. I was not entirely keen on the direction, especially the close-up shots of characters looking at the camera as if it is the person they are speaking to. Well worth watching, IMHO.

I have seen enough to know I have seen too much. -- ALOTO

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[–] indranee19 11 years ago

I found Swank's character and acting very off-putting. She just has this bitchface that makes me not want to empathize with her. Sorry, that just may be me.

Although, I have to admit, I cried copiously while I was watching it. But mostly because I've lost someone to malaria (a long time ago) and it brought the memories back in such acute focus I had to shut it off the first time and re-watch it again with some semblance of equanimity. In that, I guess it achieved its purpose.

It's a well made movie with clunky dialogue but some wonderful acting, especially by Brenda Blethyn and the kid who plays Swank's son. Other than that, the whole white man/woman saves the natives messaging is pretty tedious.

I'd recommend it. 6.6 is not at all a bad rating, btw.

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"Fear not for the future; weep not for the past." -- Percy Bysshe Shelley
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[–] goleafsgo27 11 years ago

I've seen Swank play enough of a range of characters that in this I took it as her character, not her. And I really like her face.
I might be dense, but I didn't even think of the white/black thing. Of course, having keen eyesight, I obviously don't fail to notice different skin hues, but to me it was people who were in need of help and other people who were in a position of being able to help. Do many people ever turn down aid because of the color of the helper?

I have seen enough to know I have seen too much. -- ALOTO

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