Marmalade (film)

''Marmalade'' is a 2024 romantic heist film written and directed by Keir O'Donnell in his directorial feature debut, and starring Joe Keery, Camila Morrone and Aldis Hodge.

The film was released in cinemas and on demand on 9 February 2024.

Plot

In a small town, Baron is a simple-minded yet kind-hearted young man, who finds himself incarcerated. Sharing his cell is Otis, an experienced escape artist reluctant to assist Baron in escaping. Baron's offer of $250,000 for a successful escape changes Otis's mind. When questioned about the money, Baron recounts his life's story, beginning with his devotion to his terminally ill mother, Eda, who adored Moon Pies, and his subsequent job loss due to his refusal to conform to a dress code.

Baron's life takes a pivotal turn when he meets Marmalade, a woman haunted by a traumatic childhood in foster care. Their relationship deepens, marked by shared vulnerabilities and a desperate plan to secure their future through a bank robbery, spurred by the dire need for Eda’s medication. The plan derails when Marmalade impulsively attempts a robbery, leading to a tragic series of events culminating in Eda’s death under mysterious circumstances.

As Baron pours out his heart, Otis reveals his own painful connection to a sick mother in Jamaica, creating an unexpected bond between them. Their camaraderie is interrupted by a prison riot, during which Otis's true identity as an undercover FBI agent targeting Marmalade, a notorious bank robber, is unveiled. Otis proposes a faux escape to ensnare Marmalade, with the reluctant agreement of his team.

Resuming his tale, Baron explains the reluctant continuation of the robbery plan, driven by Marmalade’s claimed pregnancy. The heist yields unexpected wealth but also revelations and separation. As Baron cleans the getaway car, he discovers his mother’s medication, leading to a heart-wrenching realization about Marmalade’s manipulations.

Baron, attempting to reunite with Marmalade, eludes the FBI in a daring escape, only to unveil layers of deception. His final act of transformation and a trail of clues lead Otis to a shocking revelation: Baron himself was the mastermind behind the heist, and Marmalade, a figment of his complex deception.

The narrative closes with Baron, now revealed as a caring doctor in a nursing home, tenderly attending to his mother, Eda. In a poignant letter to Otis, Baron reflects on life’s forward momentum and the importance of caring for one’s loved ones, leaving Otis with a ticket to Jamaica and a message of farewell.

Cast

* Joe Keery as Baron
* Camila Morrone as Marmalade
* Aldis Hodge as Otis

Production

The film was produced by Signature Entertainment and Tea Shop Productions, with Sarah Gabriel and Marc Goldberg being the producers for Signature, and with James Harris and Mark Lane being the producers for Tea Shop. It was made in association with Jason Shapiro of US management company Silver Lining Entertainment. Polly Morgan worked as the cinematographer on the project.

Keery, Marrone and Hodge were revealed to be in the cast in July 2022.

Principal photography wrapped in Minnesota in July 2022.

Release

''Marmalade'' was released in cinemas and on demand on 9 February 2024.

Reception

Writing for ''The Guardian'', Leslie Felperin praised the film for the chemistry of its lead performers and for its "surprisingly poignant" ending.

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Marmalade (film)
2020s heist films
Films about prison escapes
Films about bank robbery
Films shot in Minnesota
British heist films
British romance films
British crime films
2020s English-language films