By CHRIS SURPRENANT
Arts Editor
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 8, 2011
For rising star Elizabeth Olsen, her first widely distributed film Martha Marcy May Marlene tackles several complex issues that grab hold of the imagination. The film holds a few special places in Olsen’s heart, from the dynamic among the cast members, and her favorite scenes to film. Talking about anything and everything in the film from the copious nudity to the inspiration for her character, Olsen’s first film was definitely memorable.
Olsen doesn’t enjoy watching herself perform. She had never seen herself on the silver screen before. In fact, the first time she saw the film completed was at its Sundance premiere, describing the fresh experience as “just seeing the film as a moving photo album.” However, the Cannes debut “Allowed me to distance myself and appreciate the film,” said Olsen.
With such sensitive subject matter, it is incredibly important for everyone involved to be comfortable with each other. For Olsen director Sean Durkin, “Presents himself as an open book…and is always willing to answer questions.” Both cast and crew grew very close, as they all lived together while filming. “We became a tight-knit family,” Olsen said.
On John Hawkes’ cult leader Patrick, Olsen said that his personality is in stark contrast to the charismatically manipulative patriarch he portrays. “[Hawke] is very funny, caring, and kind. With him, there are no tricks on set…he would always think of to surprise me. He was very supportive.”
The film by nature includes graphic nudity and sex, no easy task for any actor. While many would assume that an actress would be mildly uncomfortable in such a role, Olsen embraces it. While sex and nudity often sell at the box office, that’s not what Olsen endorses. She cites Kate Winslet’s 1999 film Holy Smoke as her crutch while doing the nude scenes.
“Kate Winslet is emotionally and physically vulnerable. Nudity is okay as long as it furthers the plot and is done right. It shouldn’t be used for sensationalism.”
For her first film, Olsen has a lot to be proud of. Her favorite scene to shoot involved the emotionally damaged Martha at a party held by her affluent sister Lucy. The scene involves a lot of raw emotion, and was done in only one shot, and took no more than six takes. For Olsen, her greatest personal achievement in this film is the experience it creates.
“It’s a truly unique, original story. People don’t get it [the experience] from any other movie,” said Olsen.
Though the film is generally enticing from the beginning, the somewhat abrupt, unclear ending may upset some viewers, but not Olsen. “I like it because it aligns with Martha’s feelings and experiences. There’s no sick and twisted ending. It begins and ends in a transition period. I never thought it was a weird ending. I couldn’t imagine it any other way,” said Olsen.
Martha Marcy May Marlene is a thrill ride that keeps audiences guessing. It takes stable viewers inside the mind of an unstable woman and makes everyone eerily uncomfortable. Olsen, laid back as ever, is glad to be a part of it.
“You have to trust that you don’t always have the answers, and figure out your own story. It’s a really fun ride.”
