‘Marmalade’ is a comedy crime drama, centering on the relationship between Baron (Joe Keery) and Marmalade (Camila Morrone). Finding Baron in prison, he retells the series of events that landed him in the jail cell alongside Otis (Aldis Hodge), an inmate with his own hidden agenda.
Flashing back to his childhood, Baron is shown reminiscing of his mother as he is taken down by the police after a robbery gone wrong. Snapping back to reality in a jail cell, Baron tries to convince Otis that he has a stash hidden away and he needs to get out of jail to meet with Marmalade, his accomplice, so the two can run away together.
Baron retells Otis of his woes, - losing his job at the post office, learning that the price of his mother’s medicine is going up and struggling with bills. By chance he meets Marmalade, a garish and free spirited woman who he soon falls for. Getting Baron to let her stay in his house, Marmalade soon sinks her teeth into him. Pushing Baron to do questionable things, Marmalade soon reveals she plans to rob a bank and wants Baron as her getaway driver.
Obviously unwilling to cater to the life of caring for Baron’s ill mother, disaster soon strikes as she passes. Unable to explain the situation, Baron is overwhelmed and willing to go along with Marmalade’s plan to rob a bank. After being tracked down to their safe-house, the two agree to split up and touch base after to run away together.
Baron is taken by the police with Marmalade seemingly gone for good. As Baron retells his tale, it is revealed that Otis is actually an undercover FBI agent who has been tracking Marmalade as she had committed similar robberies in the past. Wanting to use Baron as bait, Otis arranges for him to escape.
On Baron’s tail, Otis follows the man until he loses track of him, uncovering that Baron has actually escaped his grasp. Retracing Baron’s steps, Otis learns that his story was a set-up, - there never was a Marmalade. Baron had dressed up and fabricated the story as he recognized Otis from a news article, having planned to rely on his shy demeanour and intricate tale to be let out of the prison and make his escape.
Through a series of flash-backs from Baron’s story, Otis learns that Baron had actually robbed the bank to be able to afford medication for his ailing mother, stealing directly from the head of the company who manufactures the drugs and forces the high prices on those who need it most.
Quietly modest and somewhat timid, the film initially presents itself with the same image that Baron is portraying. Disarming the audience with an approachable and ever so slightly pitiable demeanour, Baron lulls the viewers into a calm and understandable narrative of misfortune, evoking sympathy and a hope for things to turn around for the simple yet lovable country boy who is just trying to take care of his mother.
Playing us, and Otis, like a fiddle, Baron introduces the figment of his imagination, and anchor to his story – Marmalade. Progressively uncovering her intentions to be that of a selfish and untrustworthy character, Marmalade reinforces the hapless nature of Baron, inviting us to wish for him to be able to get away from her and the situation.
Played beautifully by Joe Keery, Baron sets forth a character pure of heart, who is being taken advantage of. Wanting nothing more for him than to be free of his burdens, the twist of the story affirms his persona to be that of good character. Even if what he has done is objectively problematic, the man’s cunning and ultimate goal allow us to root for him with little reproach.
In contrast to Baron’s childish and naïve behaviour is Marmalade. Delectably twisted and approaching evil, Camila Morrone portrays a character unwilling to hide her darker side, ready to push for what she wants and delivering a truly detestable individual with no remorse. Even if she’s just an idea concocted by Baron to aid his escape, Morrone executes her crooked personality to a highly enjoyably degree.
Surprising and ultimately heartfelt, ‘Marmalade’ gives us leeway and permits the viewer to root fr the criminal. Even though Baron’s plan relies heavily on being able to fool an FBI agent and allow for him to walk out of a prison, Keery delivers an impossible not-to-love character, charming his way through the feature and executing his intentions effectively. Delivering a satisfying and earnest finale, ‘Marmalade’ delivers on the laughs, the excitement and suspense, sticking the landing on fooling us all and justifying its course of action.
Score: 3/4
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