Keir O’Donnell’s “Marmalade” is a madcap heist movie with plenty of charm and originality to boot.
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“Marmalade” Plot Summary
“You scared the chickens out of me!” is a piece of dialogue that begins Keir O’Donnell’s “Marmalade,” a dark romantic comedy aware of its own slick Southern charm. For bank heist films or dark Southern comedies or romcoms, “Marmalade” enjoys the tropes of each genre while also subverting those genres. Writer and director Keir O’Donnell’s movie doesn’t fit nicely into any one category, which is part of the pleasure of watching “Marmalade” unfold.
“Marmalade” begins with the wide-eyed and shaggy-haired Baron (Joe Keery), a young man who seems in over his head as he’s locked up behind bars. His cellmate is a man named Otis (Aldis Hodge), a seeming veteran of prison who only becomes interested in Baron when Baron informs him of all the money he has. “Marmalade” then frames half of the film as story-telling time between Baron and Otis. Baron plans to tell Otis about how he acquired so much wealth, but first, he must tell him about Marmalade.
Marmade (Camila Morrone) is a woman who drives into Baron’s small town without looking at the past left behind her. She’s impulsive, delights in mischief, and gets along with Baron like pillows and heads. The two immediately fall head over heels for each other, and all it takes is one day for Marmalade to suggest robbing a bank. Baron may be reluctant, but for Marmalade, Baron would rob his own mom blind just to see her smile. We know how this heist ends, but how we get there and what happens next is filled with character turns, story twists, and charming exposition that makes this 100-minute movie whistle by like a breeze.
Most of “Marmalade” is told from Baron’s perspective, and we take his narration as the Bible truth. The last 40 minutes of “Marmalade” pick apart what we know as truth and put viewers in a tailspin. It’s funny, dark, and may be frustrating, but Keir O’Donnell weaves a script that takes big risks that we haven’t seen before.
Content Information
“Marmalade” is not rated, but includes cursing throughout, gun violence, and implied sexual situations.
“Marmalade” General Information
| Director | Keir O’Donnell |
| Screenplay By | Keir O’Donnell |
| Date Released | February 9, 2024 |
| How To Watch | Video On Demand |
| Genre(s) | Comedy |
| Film Length | 1 Hour, 39 Minutes |
| Content Rating | Not Rated |
| Noted Characters and Cast | |
| Baron | Joe Keery |
| Otis | Aldis Hodge |
| Marmalade | Camila Morrone |
Character Descriptions
Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.
Baron (Joe Keery)
Baron is a simple, good-natured man smitten in love with Marmalade. While he’s sweet and well-intentioned, his love for Marmalade trumps his better judgment in a bank heist. But Baron’s innocent puppy-dog look may have more behind the eyes than we think.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Stranger Things.”
Otis (Aldis Hodge)
Otis is Baron’s cellmate and is heavily invested in Baron’s love/heist story. While Otis may seem dismissive of Baron’s antics, Otis has his own trick or two up his sleeve.
- The actor is also known for their role in “City on a Hill.”
Marmalade (Camila Morrone)
Marmalade is a firecracker of a human. She comes in with a burst of energy, passion, and impulsiveness that can be reckless. She’s the one with the plan to rob a bank.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Daisy Jones & the Six.”
“Marmalade” Review
Our Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing)
Let us know your thoughts in the comments:
- What did you think of “Marmalade?”
Highlights
Charming Framing and Dialogue Keep The Movie Whistling
“Marmalade” knows how to make any scene feel like a child embarking on an adventure. Whether it’s entering prison or preparing for a bank heist, “Marmalade” has scribbled fonts, bouncy music, and taps its feet to its own whistle. But the charm is heightened whenever Joe Keery and Camila Morrone share an ice cream together or fight over the bank map. The script oozes with Southern winks and humor that make you want to do the same.
Camera Movements and Coloring Keep Us In “Marmalade’s” Fantasy
Since a huge chunk of “Marmalade” is told from Baron’s view, the movie is also filmed through Baron’s rose-colored glasses. Golden coloring and swift camera movement sweep viewers off their feet as if they’re falling in love and meeting an uncontrollable force too. The flashbacks feel like a montage that asks viewers to remember their first time falling in love. The camera choices all trick us further into Baron’s story.
On The Fence
Shifts and Twists Require Equal Investment
“Marmalade” begins like a tribute to a classic Coen Brothers movie or a rom-com based on a Flannery O’Connor story. The film ebbs and flows between its darkness, humor, and dark humor. Just when we’re invested in the movie’s rhythm and pattern, “Marmalade” gleefully breaks that pattern and offers multiple twists. While the twists are welcome, they require a jarring new investment into the story and characters each time. It’s a trick that will make you want to rewatch or regret watching it in the first place.
Good If You Like
- Dark comedies, movies with twists, and heist love stories.
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