Review: Listen To Me Marlon

Listen To Me Marlon

Director: Stevan Riley
Passion Pictures
In Theaters: 07.29

While Marlon Brando may be considered one of the greatest actors of all time, he was also known for being an egotistic maniac and almost unbearable to work with on set. However, this seems to be the case with many of Hollywood’s elite. Mr. Brando passed away 11 years ago, but, with the use of never-before-heard audio recording, rare film footage and vintage photographs, director Stevan Riley has compiled an all-encompassing jigsaw puzzle of Brando’s life that explores the actor’s thoughts on acting, family, sex, love and the ravenous business of filmmaking. While numerous A-list celebrities may come across as callous beasts, they are only human in the end. Riley makes that fact abundantly clear with this surreal portrait of an icon who finally let the audience witness a glimpse of his softer side a decade after his death. Audiences will be captivated as Brando speaks earnestly about the civil rights movement and his anger for those who stand in the way of progress, as well as his mother’s alcoholism. It’s a side I can honestly say I never thought I’d see of Brando, but I am certainly glad Riley presented the opportunity. –Jimmy Martin