Storyline
When a devastating attack shatters Mark Hogancamp and wipes away all memories, no one expected recovery. Putting together pieces from his old and new life, Mark meticulously creates a wondrous town named Marwen where he can heal and be heroic. As he builds an astonishing art installation — a testament to the most powerful women he knows — through his fantasy world, he draws strength to triumph in the real one.
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Danny Costa
August 11, 2025
9 / 10
Hi everybody. I'm Danny. Why am I introducing myself? Well, this is my first TMDB (spoilers, so be cautious if you even care) review, and I thought I'd dedicate it to one of my new underrated gems. Keep in mind I'm saying all of this as a casual moviegoer/streaming viewer/physical media collector/shlingadinga who watched this on Netflix after being very curious to watch it on my lil ImageMovers/Zemeckis binge I've been doing.
Now, I'd definitely understand if someone explained to me why this movie is objectively bad. I have open ears and am ready to hear someone else's opinion, while also having the requirement that the other person doesn't say I'm wrong for liking this just because it's a "bad movie".
Because, for me, this is a really good movie, and arguably the best of Zemeckis' mocap endeavors. I haven't seen Marwencol, the documentary that it's based on (and probably will have to dig in search of it), but I'd say this is trying its best to be respectful to the story of Mark Hogencamp and Marwencol. It's just that Zemeckis wanted to tell it in his own, flashy, sometimes mocap-y way. And for me, it's not all that bad. I also found the screenplay harmless.
As for the acting, Steve Carell is surprisingly great as Mark, and I kinda connected to a few of the elements presented about him, mainly the "I am alone" aspect. I also liked the secondary characters, especially Nicol and Roberta. I kinda felt Kurt was a bit underdeveloped, but I also feel like what we do see of him leaves you with enough of a negative impact that you buy Hogie's terrified reaction to seeing a Nazi version of him.
And honestly, my favorite aspect of this movie is the fact that Mark doesn't "get the girl" at the end, just going to Sushi with Roberta. I felt like that was an ideal way to close the film while also sending a hopeful message to anyone who, sometimes or always, feel like no one would romantically love them, therefore, feel alone.
Overall, I'd genuinely recommend this to people. I really liked it and I think other people would too. I would grade it based on the things I said, but I think my 90% score on the top of this page says it all.
Oh yeah, this is my favorite of Zemeckis' mocap films, as well. Have a good one, y'all!
