*This Malcolm and Marie review might contain spoilers
The new Netflix movie Malcolm and Marie is controversial for many reasons but mostly for the relationship it portrays. It features Zendaya and John David Washington as a couple who have a major argument.
This Malcolm and Marie review will focus on the couple and I’m sharing 7 relationship lessons you can learn from them.
1. Tackle one problem at a time:
When you have a disagreement with your partner, tackle one problem at a time. Don’t pile up offences because that will lead to an explosion and that’s not a healthy way to handle conflict. Most of the time, when it comes to arguments in relationships, there’s usually more than meets the eye. This is because resentments have been allowed to build up over time. When your partner hurts you, address it as quickly as possible so it doesn’t become a bigger problem.
2. Disrespect will ruin every relationship:
Malcolm and Marie obviously had no respect for each other so they couldn’t fight fair. He repeatedly brought up her past mistakes and told her his job was more important. She on the other hand called him mediocre and made light of his career. They attacked each other like two wrestlers in a ring and the only place such a relationship can survive is on a screen.
3. Never use information shared in confidence to attack your partner:
If you use something your partner told you in confidence against them, you’ll do a lot of damage. You’ll also make it difficult for them to ever trust you again. Words that come from the ones you love hurt the most so be careful what you say and do.
4. Don’t get into relationships when you’re in pain:
Pain obscures things. If you get into a relationship while you’re in pain, you’re likely to end up with the wrong person. It’s like bleeding into the ocean, you’ll attract sharks. Start on your journey to healing before getting into a relationship and continue the process even when you’re in one.
5. Don’t constantly empty yourself out to satisfy your partner:
If you give too much, you’ll be empty and resentful. Women tend to empty themselves out to affirm their men. However, they don’t usually know how to ask to be filled and that emptiness eats them up. Ask for what you need and be sure you’re not with someone who just wants to take from you.
6. Don’t hang your life on your partner:
Don’t wait for your partner to fulfill you, they can’t. It’s too heavy a weight to put on anyone. You need to find purpose outside your relationship or you’ll remain unfulfilled. Your happiness is largely your responsibility. Marie was constantly looking to Malcolm to affirm her, and that showed she hadn’t learned to affirm herself.
7. Self love is the best love:
If you don’t love yourself, nobody’s love can fill you up. And you will eventually self-sabotage and talk yourself out of good things because you won’t feel deserving of love. Marie obviously didn’t love herself enough to see that she deserved better than Malcolm had to offer. That’s why she stayed even though he was verbally abusive and just toxic.
Malcolm and Marie is supposed to be a romantic drama but honestly it’s about a highly toxic relationship. It was exhausting to watch and I kept hoping Marie would leave Malcolm but as with many toxic relationships, the victim finds it difficult to leave. Malcolm had become the center of her life and she had nothing else.
The summary of this Malcolm and Marie review is that the movie is an endless fight between a guy and his girlfriend. That’s basically it. If you do decide to watch it, let it be because you want to know what not to do in your relationships.
Have you watched the movie? Share your thoughts in the comments. If you enjoyed this Malcolm and Marie review and would like me to do more relationship lessons from movies, please share them in the comments .