‘Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore’ Review: A Vibrant Documentary Portrait of a Trailblazer

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Initially, adjust your anticipation: This biographical documentary doesn’t unveil many new insights about its subject, actress Marlee Matlin, as she has previously shared much of her story – including her battles with addiction, childhood sexual abuse, and allegations of violence by her early boyfriend, actor William Hurt. These details were already openly discussed in her 2009 memoir titled “I’ll Scream Later”.

The title “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” presents an endearing, spirited depiction of Marlee Matlin, who at 60, has accomplished much in her career – from becoming the first deaf actor to win an Academy Award for her role in “Children of a Lesser God,” to campaigning before the U.S. Congress for mandatory closed captions, and using her voice, both figuratively and literally, as a powerful advocate for the deaf community.

To put it simply, this film presents one of its key points by illustrating that Marlee Matlin faced criticism from certain members of her community when she verbally announced the Best Actor Oscar instead of signing, as she had done after winning her own award. However, this movie goes beyond just focusing on Matlin’s story; it also delves into the complexities and expressions of deaf culture, a topic rarely explored in film. Notably, Shoshannah Stern, a deaf director, directs the film and is featured on screen, engaged in a lively American Sign Language conversation with Matlin, which is translated into color-coded subtitles to make it accessible for audiences who can hear.

The thoughtful design of the graphics aligns perfectly with the overall polished professionalism of this package, from the smooth editing to the slightly dramatic but sleek background music. To be frank, it consistently feels like a film tailored for the compassionate crowds at festivals such as Sundance, where it first premieres in the U.S. Documentary Competition before likely transitioning to limited screenings and eventually streaming platforms.

Although the warm feeling of watching a movie about a captivating actress like Marlee Matlin never fades, this production remains highly engaging, particularly due to Matlin’s undiminished radiant charm. The narrative weaves through Matlin’s life journey, often returning to key moments chronologically but primarily moving forward. The film, titled “Not Alone Anymore“, begins with the screen debut that catapulted Matlin to fame and earned her an Oscar. Director Randa Haines recounts discovering Matlin in a minor role during the Chicago production of “Children of a Lesser God“. Impressed by the young actress, Haines invited Matlin for the lead audition, rehearsing lines with Hurt for the movie adaptation that Haines was directing. The undeniable chemistry between the actors, both onscreen and off, clinched the casting decision.

Quickly, they formed a romantic pairing, and Matlin openly credits Hurt for teaching her valuable lessons professionally through his “Method” style, even though she isn’t typically a Method actress. (Stern queries if Matlin has ever encountered a female actor who embraces the Method wholeheartedly, which elicits a chuckle followed by a negative response, a moment that might provoke skeptical laughter at viewings.) Their relationship was driven as much by drug usage as passion, and friends like long-time associate Jack Jason, who has collaborated with Matlin throughout her career, began noticing the bruises on her body after their frequent altercations. However, their on-screen performance was electrifying, earning Matlin an Academy Award and numerous other accolades.

After portraying Sarah in the film “Children,” a role every deaf actress encounters at some point in her career, it was found that there weren’t many other suitable roles for Marilyn to tackle. However, by the 1990s, writers such as Aaron Sorkin from “The West Wing” started considering ways to include more diverse talents like Matlin in their scripts, eventually giving her the recurring role of Joey Lucas, a tough-as-nails campaign manager turned pollster.

Over time, Matlin found a cozy spot in television and also had several movie roles outside of it. However, Sian Heder’s CODA, a heartwarming blend of comedy and drama about a deaf family with one hearing daughter (Emilia Jones), brought a change. In this film, Matlin played the mother character, exuding her signature smoldering charm alongside Troy Kotsur as her husband. Eventually, Kotsur won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, while the movie took home the award for Best Picture. This made Matlin feel, as suggested by the film’s subtitle, no longer alone in her journey with her solitary awards victory.

Beyond chronicling Marlee Matlin’s professional journey, this documentary delves into interviews with Marlee’s friends and relatives, such as her siblings, who attempted to offer support in a family where she was the sole deaf member. It may come as a surprise to those unfamiliar with Marlee’s memoir that she comes from a Jewish background. While the narrative often shifts back to Marlee herself, it employs archival footage to highlight her efforts to mandate closed captioning, her activism for deaf rights, and her ongoing exploration of the intricate matters surrounding deaf identity.

The narrative occasionally delves into related topics, such as the 1988 controversy surrounding the appointment of a hearing president at Gallaudet University – a prestigious institution for deaf and hearing-impaired students in America, which was met with protests by students like Marlee Matlin. However, careful, skillful revisions ensure these digressions are relevant to Matlin’s personal journey, transforming this into more than just a celebration of one extraordinary, fascinating woman.

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2025-01-24 00:27