Malcolm & Marie is one of the newest romantic dramas released in 2021, and it is currently trending on Netflix. Despite the mixed reviews, critics and viewers are impressed by its two major stars, Zendaya and John David Washington, featuring as a couple reflecting on their luxurious but complicated lifestyle. One of the most noticeable aspects of the new drama is that the movie is in black and white.
Even though Hollywood has, for the most part, moved past black and white movies since the introduction of technicolor, some filmmakers still use monochrome as a cinematic style for the big screen, and the aesthetic can sometimes pay off, capturing the depth, tone, and visual effects of a film. In fact, several recent black and white films made in the last decade have been critically acclaimed and are some of the most award-worthy movies.
Mank (2020) - 83%
One creative reason to use black and white in film is to reflect on historical or biographical events. Mank is no exception to this, especially given the movie's premise. Directed by David Fincher, the biographical film is about Herman J. Mankiewicz, or simply Mank, a Hollywood screenwriter whose personal backstory inspired him to write Hollywood's masterpiece, Citizen Kane.
The use of black and white is visually meaningful and purposeful, and the movie is a tribute to classic Hollywood when black and white films were the norm. Since Citizen Kane was also a black-and-white film, it seemed fitting to follow a similar cinematographic style. Mank received praise for Fincher's direction, performances by Gary Oldman and Amanda Seyfried, and production design.
Frankenweenie (2012) - 87%
Black and white animated movies are unusual in today's cinema. However, the black and white aesthetic in 2012's Frankenweenie fits well with the movie's gothic horror themes. Directed by Tim Burton, Frankenweenie pays homage to the classic horror figure, Frankenstein, when a young boy's deceased dog is resurrected.
The supernatural comedy highlights elements of typical horror movies, while also keeping the film family-friendly. The story is heartwarming with spot-on visuals and the movie earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.
The Lighthouse (2019) - 90%
The Lighthouse is one amazingly crafted film. Two lighthouse keepers maintain a New England lighthouse in the late 1800s, but, they also struggle to maintain their sanity while uncovering the mysticism of the remote island.
The story is brilliant and bold, covering themes of mythology and psychology. The black and white cinematography highlights the movie's dark tone. Talented actors Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson shined as the two lighthouse keepers and showed brilliant chemistry. As one of the best movies of its year, The Lighthouse received an Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography.
Nebraska (2013) - 91%
When an older man receives some mail claiming he won a prize, he and his estranged son travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, to accept it. Upon their arrival, he earns the attention of the greedy townspeople who only befriend him for money.
Alexander Payne's Nebraska is a beautiful and moving road film with a meaningful message about life. The chemistry between Bruce Dern and Will Forte is exceptional, showing how an estranged relationship can turn into something meaningful. The comedy was critically acclaimed and earned six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. Of course, Dern wowed critics with his performance, which won him an Oscar for Best Actor.
Frances Ha (2012) - 92%
In the comedy-drama Frances Ha, a young woman, Frances Halladay, faces several obstacles in her life. Her best friend moves in with her boyfriend, Frances can never find a place to live, and her company overlooks her as a dancer. Yet, she holds her head high and hopes that her dreams will come true in New York.
Frances Ha is an entertaining movie, reflecting upon the struggles of life and highlighting the importance of one's self-determination. Even though the film is in black and white, the cinematic and artsy experimentation pays tribute to the French New Wave. Greta Gerwig exemplifies the role perfectly, displaying the joyfulness and charm of Frances. Her captivating performance earned her first Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress - Comedy or Musical.
Cold War (2018) - 92%
This Polish film, Cold War, centers on a brewing romance between a musician and a singer. The effects of the Cold War cause the couple to take extreme measures that could jeopardize their relationship.
Critics praised Cold War for its black and white cinematography and beautiful but bittersweet love story. Furthermore, Joanna Kulig and Tomasz Kot received praise for their performance as a couple. Poland submitted the drama film for Best Foreign Language Film, only to lose to another black and white movie, Roma. Cold War also received Oscar nominations for Best Director and Best Cinematography,
The Artist (2011) - 95%
Everything about The Artist is visionary in terms of creative and technical style. Not only is the movie shot in black and white, but it is also a silent film. Of course, these decisions serve a purpose in terms of the premise. The French comedy-drama focuses on a promising young actress and a veteran silent film star during the late 1920s and early 1930s, a period when black and white silent films were transitioning into "talkies."
Critics and audience praised the French movie for its charming and wholesome tale of Hollywood, with great performances from the cast, especially Jean Dujardin. The Artist became one of the best films of 2011 and landed on several top 10 lists, including the National Board of Review. It also received several accolades during award season, including 5 Oscars, including Best Actor for Dujardin and Best Director for Michel Hazanavicius. It also won the most prestigious award of the night for Best Picture, making it the most recent black and white film to win the honor.
Roma (2018) - 95%
Directed by award-winning Alfonso Cuarón, the Mexican drama Roma focuses on the life of housekeeper Cleo, who works for an affluent family in Mexico City. Despite the family's patriarch running away and Cleo's unexpected pregnancy, Cleo and the family grow closer to overcome their obstacles and becoming a strong support network. Released on Netflix in 2018, Roma gained international attention, becoming one of the best movies of the year and best films of the decade.
Based on a loose autobiography of Cuarón's upbringing, the story is beautiful, powerful, and captivating, reflecting the authentic and realistic moments of life. The black and white aesthetic works by serving as a poetic memory of one's past. Both Yalitza Aparicio and Marina de Tavira were excellent in their roles as Cleo and Sofía, which earned them Oscar nominations for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. The drama film won for Best Cinematography, Best Foreign Language Film, and Best Director for Cuarón and became the 10th foreign-language film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.
Ida (2013) - 96%
An incoming nun, Anna, is soon to take her vows, but she surprisingly learns that her family is Jewish. Curious about her family's background, Anna goes on a journey with her only living relative to uncover the basis of their family's history that dates back to WWII.
Ida is a masterpiece that exudes the powerful story of the young nun and her family's past. The writing is emotional and breathtaking, with impressive acting from Agata Kulesza and Agata Trzebuchowska. As a Polish movie, not only was Ida selected and nominated at the Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film, but it became the first Polish film to win the prospective award. It also received a nomination for Best Cinematography.
The Forty-Year-Old Version (2020) - 98%
When a once-promising, now-struggling playwriter hopes for a breakthrough before turning 40, she changes course to become a rapper. Her new journey allows her to find her true voice, mixing hip-hop and theater to fulfill her dream.
The 40-Year-Old Version was released on Netflix in 2020 and soon became one of the most critically acclaimed movies of the year. The story is compelling and inspiring, sending a message for people to aspire for their dreams. Of course, all praise is deserved for the movie's lead star, Radha Blank, who also wrote, produced, and directed the comedy film. The National Board of Review listed The 40-Year-Old Version as one of the best movies of 2020.