By: Ace The Legynd & Lex Lavish

Art is a commitment that can consume a person often causing complications in their personal lives. In the 2021 polarizing film, Malcom & Marie, John David Washington and Zendaya combine as toxic lovers to put these very issues on display. The film takes place after the couple returns home from a successful film debut for Malcom (Washington), as Marie (Zendaya) struggles with feelings of neglect and betrayal by Malcom. The film raises interesting questions about the balance between trust, love, and work. As an artist myself I have experienced first hand some of the issues presented in the film and have come to understand how fragile peace can be when using a lover as a muse. I asked Lex Lavish to help me give a short breakdown where both male and female perspectives could be expressed respectively.

Is it wrong to use your partner as a muse in your work?

Ace:

I personally feel like true art is a reflection of your imagination and/or your life. So I feel like the inclusion of your partner in your art is natural. However, there are ways to do it respectfully where the source of the inspiration is ambiguous to viewers.

Lex:

Using your partner as a muse isn’t inherently wrong; the chances are that you are not only using them as a muse, you are using every experience that takes place in your life as a muse.

What do you feel people should consider when trying to get their relationship and career to live in harmony?

Ace:

I think people should think about how the demands of a career in art can limit the emotional resources they have to give to their partner.

Lex:

I think the real question that people should consider is how does your relationship affect the pursuit of your dreams and art.

The vitriol displayed in the film is not uncommon in todays day and age. Why do you think dating in this generation is so toxic?

Ace:

This is a generation of me first, there isn’t a genuine desire to understand other perspectives amongst people in this generation. Also, people are so used to instant gratification, working through an issue for a real resolution is a foreign idea.

Lex:

Dating in this generation can be so toxic for a myriad of reasons, from people being negatively impacted by childhood to poor communication of wants and needs.

What is off limits in an argument? Can you forgive what your partner says in anger?

Ace:

Off limits is a spectrum, it changes depending on the circumstances of the relationship. For me a general rule of thumb is once you’re intentionally trying to hurt me, I’m good off you. Things can be forgiven but the relationship will remain fractured. Even if a couple moves past it, often times the pain will resurface.

Lex:

Like the legendary Ms. Lauryn Hill said “respect is just a minimum”! I learned the gist of forgiveness growing up in the church so that’s not too hard. I can forgive you but who is to say that I will ever bother with you again?

Who’s side did you take in the movie?

Ace:

I felt like Marie said a lot of things she knew would hurt Malcom to his core. But, Malcom habitually went too far.

Lex:

Neither, The Caterpillar House in Cali with your boo; that's a vibe few could part with over one emotional night.

The Kodak Double X black and white 35mm film that Malcolm and Marie was shot on was just what the doctor ordered. The heavy theatrics and bold textures that were used in the movie made the set and the story stand out. Aside from that the movie defied the circumstances as the world battled coronavirus. They were able to create a pod consisting of everyone needed to produce the film, kept everyone safe, and get the film done. With the ingenuity used on this set, I would not be surprised if this film is one day heralded as a classic just as the cinematographer Marcell Rev intended. After, watching the film part of me felt like I was just watching a couple I knew have an argument, but the blows were much more lethal.