Hate crime is an ugly phrase. It’s an even uglier action. Welcome to Marwen is the theatrical version of disturbing and heartbreaking story of Mark Hogancamp (Steve Carell). Mark suffers from PTSD due to a violent attack outside of a bar one night. A group of men didn’t like what Mark had to say and they beat him for it. He has never been the same since the attack. Once an accomplished artist, Mark now finds comfort in photography. He uses this medium to cope with his trauma while also trying to find a purpose in life. When a new neighbor (Leslie Mann) moves into the house across the street, Mark slowly begins to come out of shell. His imagination, angst and other factors make for a very interesting story as he’s on a collision course with his past.
Robert Zemeckis, responsible for such hits as the Back to the Future franchise, Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) and Forrest Gump (1994) finds new inspiration with Welcome to Marwen. Utilizing a strong cast such as Steve Carell, Leslie Man, Eiza González, Gwendoline Christie, Janelle Monáe, Diane Kruger and Merritt Wever, there is not enough screen time or space to put all of these talents. There’s a lot to shove into a two hour movie when you’re also trying to infuse the drama with some heavy helpings of comedy. The pace of the film feels both hurried and bogged down if that makes any sense. It feels as though some portions are glossed over while other parts seem like they’re stuck in the mud.
It comes as little surprise that Zemeckis and the DreamWorks team end up doing a wonderful job on the effects. While pretty much all of the emotional scenes are shown using real-life actors, it’s the attention to the detail of the puppets and digital wizardry that make the other portion of the film so enjoyable. As a matter of fact, they’re so enjoyable that it takes away from the true message of this story. So yes, Welcome to Marwen somewhat suffers due to these talented digital artists being so good at their jobs. Irony.
Welcome to Marwen tugs at the heartstrings some while also giving viewers a few things to smile about. This true story is told through the lens of a man who has a great imagination, which is displayed on screen. Parts of how the cinematic plot plays out reminded me a lot of Zack Snyder’s Sucker Punch (2011). It’s a very grand and entertaining way to tell a story that’s actually heart-wrenching. You almost lose yourself in the cinematic portion of things but then that jolt of reality hits and everything becomes very emotional.
Steve Carell has come a long way from his days as a “solely comedic” actor. Just in the last quarter of this year alone, Carell has displayed great emotional range in Beautiful Boy, Vice and now Welcome to Marwen. He definitely has the ability to fully embody the character of whatever role he plays. Leslie Mann is another one of those that can be silly as silly can be but she can turn up the dramatic level when needed. The joy of this movie is in how comedy is used to frame a very serious situation. Being that this is based on a true story, bullying and hate crimes are not a joking subject. That said, everything experienced in this movie was done in good taste. If you’re looking for more of the factual side to this story, the 2010 documentary Marwencol might be something worth checking out as well.
Welcome to Marwen is the most fast-moving movie ever created, it has its moments where it drags. That is to be expected when you’re telling the story of something that’s based on true events. The overall message that is told is one that takes a while to get across effectively, and that justifies the slowdown in parts. It’s absolutely amazing what Mark Hogancamp overcame and it’s even more astounding that he’s been able to forge a new path from his misfortunes. Even though it’s sad in nature, Welcome to Marwen is real pick-me-up in how it’s told. Get out to theaters this holiday season if you’re in the mood for a well done story of perseverance.
