The questions shouldn’t shock, not in spite of everything these years, however they do. Effectively, not the questions a lot — individuals are naturally curious, particularly about what they don’t know or have by no means seen — however the methods wherein they have been requested, the methods wherein they have been lobbed at a younger Marlee Matlin, scorching on the heels of her first main movie position in “Youngsters of a Lesser God” and the thrill (and Oscar win!) that adopted. It was a constant question in 1986, when the deaf star burst on to the scene: what else might a deaf actress presumably be good for, aside from deaf roles?
Matlin hasn’t forgotten these questions or interviews or articles, and filmmaker Shoshannah Stern doesn’t skimp when it comes sharing them in her documentary in regards to the actress and activist, “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore.” It really works as each current historical past — too current — and a thesis. Effectively, what else was Matlin good for? Lots, together with now (lastly!) as a forthright and compelling documentary topic.
Regardless of the unkind assumptions so usually ascribed to her and her work, Matlin isn’t wanting to throw stones, and regardless of some robust revelations in Stern’s documentary, the tone stays principally celebratory and lightweight. Even when reflecting on the methods wherein some folks turned on her throughout her rise to fame (and her Oscar win, which made her the primary deaf performer to win Finest Actress), Matlin doesn’t get imply. As a substitute, she turns any concern and nervousness again on herself and her reactions. There’s a motive why the deaf star has endured all these years — take that, each single journalist and Oscar pundit who sniffed at her as a “sympathy decide” or point-blank requested what kind of future there was for a disabled actress — nevertheless it’s clearly taken exhausting work, damaged hearts, and hard classes.
Stern’s documentary opens on the 2022 Oscars, as a stunning Matlin readies for the annual occasion. These accustomed to Matlin’s profession will seemingly perceive instantly how that opening — at Hollywood’s greatest evening, the place Sian Heder’s movie “CODA,” starring Matlin and a bunch of different deaf performers, will finally triumph — is in dialog with Stern’s movie’s title. However Stern, regardless of some initially conventional documentary trappings, is weaving one thing a bit extra canny right here. We’ll return to the 2022 Oscars later, with considerably extra context. We will even do the identical for the 1987 Oscars, and far more.
Earlier than all that, nonetheless, Stern (herself a deaf actress along with her filmmaking) and Matlin clearly have accessibility high of thoughts for the movie. We’re greeted with not solely on-screen captions (later, pairing completely with tales about Matlin’s combat to make closed captions the usual for TV), however copious scenes of each deaf and listening to speaking heads (signing heads?) utilizing American Signal Language to inform tales. For Stern, it’s a straightforward selection — her topics ought to really feel comfy utilizing the language of their selection, and she or he’s pleased to make it accessible for all — and one much more stirring after we see it in motion, equivalent to with a number of scenes wherein Stern and Matlin sit dealing with one another, signing away with gusto and emotion.
Along with Matlin and herself, Stern has assembled a powerful array of members to contextualize Matlin. Henry Winkler and Aaron Sorkin are there, plus her brothers, her eldest daughter, different deaf performers (together with “CODA” co-star Troy Kotsur, in fact), and even her childhood greatest good friend. Her long-time translator Jack Jason proves to be a significant voice, simply nearly as good at speaking Matlin’s ideas as his personal.
However Matlin is essentially the most transferring and thrilling star on supply, and whereas she’s at all times been outspoken about her life and profession — see: closed caption campaign, her involvement with the Deaf President Now! motion, her accusations in opposition to former accomplice and “Youngsters” co-star William Harm, and her personal autobiography — there’s one thing fairly transferring about watching Matlin inform her personal story, on her personal phrases.
Whereas meaning there are specific issues she’s not thinking about sharing (discussions about how her listening to household dealt with her, each then and now, might simply encourage one other movie), that’s half and parcel of letting somebody inform their very own story. For “Not Alone Anymore,” the message isn’t simply the medium: it’s the entry to that medium, the truth that these messages are capable of be shared, for some to see, some to listen to, and all to profit from.
Grade: B+
“Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” premiered on the 2025 Sundance Movie Pageant. It’s at present in search of U.S. distribution.
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