‘Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore’ Review: The Trailblazing Deaf Oscar Winner Opens Up in a Winning Documentary

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In her documentary “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” the celebrated star delves into the sometimes solitary territory she’s inhabited since her breakthrough in 1986 – that of being a voice for deaf individuals and herself. For over three decades, Matlin stood alone as the sole deaf actor to win an Oscar, and among the few with a career considered mainstream. However, this changed when Troy Kotsur, her co-star from the 2021 Oscar-winning film “CODA,” won the award for best supporting actor, joining her in this unique space.

At the age of 19, Marlee Matlin made her film debut opposite William Hurt in the movie adaptation of the play “Children of a Lesser God.” In this role, she played Sarah Norman, a janitor at a school for the deaf. Hurt’s character was a speech teacher, and their dynamic revolved around Sarah’s reluctance to speak, which Hurt initially pledged not to pressure her about but eventually did. Following the production of the film, a romantic relationship developed between Matlin and Hurt. This may strike viewers as unusual when watching the documentary where Hurt announces that Matlin has won an Oscar in the same category, with Jane Fonda appearing happier for Matlin than Hurt himself. It was later revealed that Matlin’s relationship with the 35-year-old Hurt was fraught with difficulties. The actress herself disclosed that he became physically and emotionally abusive. (However, it should be noted that Hurt denied these allegations before his death in 2022.)

Initially being praised didn’t equate to being truly comprehended. For instance, film critic Rex Reed’s solemn preface in a favorable review of “Children of Lesser God” has become outdated over time. It’s now challenging to envision the phrase “[do] you ever ponder what it feels like to be deaf? It’s a peculiar and alarming world…” not being a problematic introduction. However, Reed wasn’t alone in this regard. There were numerous awkward moments when Marlee Matlin was covered by the media. Looking back, influential figures may cringe at their own stumbles while interviewing her.

Under the guidance of hearing-impaired director Shoshannah Stern, this documentary, airing as part of the “American Masters” series and debuting at Sundance, skillfully balances directness and subtlety. It deftly transitions between captions and interpretations, between American Sign Language and spoken language, showcasing the adaptable nature of how deaf individuals navigate their world. The documentary’s flexible structure invites us to pay close attention.

Shoshannah Stern, a hearing-impaired director, leads this “American Masters” series documentary, premiering at Sundance. It artfully blends straightforwardness and subtlety as it moves between captions and translations, between American Sign Language and spoken words. By doing so, the film featuring Marlee Matlin highlights the versatile ways deaf individuals interact with their environment. The documentary’s adaptable form compels us to focus more intently.

In the movie, it’s shown that even Matlin’s immediate family didn’t always make an effort to include her as much as they could have, given she was the deaf child of hearing parents and siblings. As the youngest of three, Marlee lost her hearing at 18 months old. Her reunion with her two brothers in Illinois emphasizes how effortless it might have been for them and their now-deceased parents to overlook including Marlee in family activities. This is evident in a noisy scene where Matlin expresses her frustration through signing to the camera.

If her family may not always be her most consistent supporters, Marlee Matlin still has her advocates. Henry Winkler plays a significant and heartwarming role in the documentary. They first met when she was a fan-struck child and he was the Fonz. Aaron Sorkin, who cast her in “The West Wing,” highlights her talents. “She is exceptionally skilled with language,” he states. (Matlin authored the bestselling memoir “I’ll Scream Later,” published in 2009.) Sorkin’s evaluation aligns with a humorous scene involving Bradley Whitford’s character, where her acting agility is on display. Her versatility as an actress is even more evident in a clip from the show “The Practice,” where her character engages in a heated argument with her attorney, played by Camryn Manheim, that shifts between sign language, speech, and intense silence. Matlin was nominated for an Emmy for this guest appearance.

Through their collaborative work on the Sundance Channel series “This Close,” Matlin and director Stern have developed a strong connection. In fact, Stern portrayed Sara in a stage adaptation of “Children of a Lesser God.” During their conversation on a couch, their relationship feels as comfortable as that between long-time friends. The mutual understanding they possess about the complexities of “communication struggles” (a term referring to the additional efforts required to acquire information) enhances their bond and adds depth to the movie.

For many of those public appearances, Marlee Matlin was usually joined by her longtime interpreter, Jack Johnson. It was Hurt who initially hired him. Over time, Matlin and Johnson developed a lifelong friendship, and he offers valuable insights into the obstacles she overcame, such as breaking away from Hurt and achieving sobriety.

As a cinema enthusiast, I find the subtitle “Not Alone Anymore” fittingly resonant, transcending its role in acknowledging Kotsur’s Oscar victory. This theme echoes throughout the documentary, mirroring the struggles of the deaf community that it addresses. Two years following Marlee Matlin’s Oscar win, students at Gallaudet University, a unique institution for hearing-impaired individuals, took a stand against the appointment of a hearing individual to lead the school, a role that had never been filled by someone from the deaf community before. This student activism is woven into the documentary’s narrative, while the intense protests are given center stage in another Sundance film this year, “Deaf President Now!”. Truly, we are no longer alone in our fight for representation and equality.

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2025-01-24 07:16