# Welcome To Marwen - new movie based on documentary, Marwencol
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [November 28, 2018, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212 "2018-11-28T16:11:09Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2018, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/1 "2018-11-28T16:11:09Z")
I remember learning about the documentary film _Marwencol_ from reading about it here on the SDMB, I think. I watched it way back then and really liked it. It showed a very unusual and interesting situation. The story is in some ways joyful and in other ways very sad.
I searched and didn’t see any threads devoted to it. I did find mentions of it in this thread: [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=15586493#post15586493](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=15586493#post15586493)
> [@Documentary Recommendations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/documentary-recommendations/637365/7):
>
> _Marwencol_, about a guy who suffers permanent mental and physical damage after a beating one night coming out of the bar, and goes on to create an entire WWII village, with mythology, as self therapy (he’s uninsured). Sounds weird, but it’s one of the best movies I’ve seen this year, and I watched it three times before finally writing an essay on it.
> [@Documentary Recommendations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/documentary-recommendations/637365/44):
>
> I can heartily second _Marwencol_. Caught it on PBS one night and really liked it.
Also several mentions of it in this thread: [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=657732&highlight=marwencol](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=657732&highlight=marwencol)
I recently saw that there is a new movie coming out soon based on _Marwencol_. It’s a dramatization of the story, starring Steve Carell and co-starring some other well-known actors (Leslie Mann, Janelle Monae, Diane Kruger, Gwendoline Christie). From the trailer, it appears that some of the actors are portraying the characters/dolls of Marwencol and will appear as CGI animated versions of themselves.
Here is a link to the trailer: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6dy7xQ8NeE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6dy7xQ8NeE)
I never would have imagined Marwencol being adapted into a Hollywood feature film, but I like what I’ve seen for the most part. I just hope they haven’t overdone it with the “action” scenes shown in the trailer.
I rarely see movies in the theater anymore, but I might trek out to catch this one.
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### Author:  [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2018, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/2 "2018-11-28T17:09:03Z")
There are several trailers, cut different ways to pair with various genres of film. The “action” one is OK, but the one I saw before a serious drama honestly moved me to tears.
The film is at the top of my list.
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### Author:  [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/3 "2018-11-28T17:44:05Z")
Straight to the fucking top of my list. Thank you both for this thread. Dear Og that looks like an amazing film. Yes, _the trailer_ moved me to tears.
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### Author:  [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2018, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/4 "2018-11-28T19:19:15Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#):
>
> Straight to the fucking top of my list. Thank you both for this thread. Dear Og that looks like an amazing film. Yes, _the trailer_ moved me to tears.
That one split the difference between the “action” and the “heartstrings” version. If the final film is half as good as the trailer, it’s going to be astonishing, and Steve Carell is going to be nominated for Best Actor.
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### Author:  [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2018, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/5 "2018-11-28T20:04:14Z")
The documentary is very good. I am looking forward to seeing this adaptation.
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### Author:  [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2018, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/6 "2018-11-28T21:09:31Z")
I first saw a trailer for this back in July, and I recently started seeing television ads for it. It looks _amazing_. I’m definitely planning to see this! And now I will also try to find the documentary (it isn’t on Netflix anymore).
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### Author:  [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2018, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/7 "2018-11-29T00:12:27Z")
Robert Zemeckis doesn’t get half of the praise he deserves.
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### Author:  [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2018, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/8 "2018-11-29T00:44:12Z")
This one is on my must see list!
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### Author:  [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2018, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/9 "2018-11-29T02:57:04Z")
[Welcome to Marwen - Official Trailer 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBiyoc4E3mM&t=28s) is the one I watched.
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### Author:  [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2018, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/10 "2018-11-29T23:55:39Z")
> [@gaffa](#):
>
> Robert Zemeckis doesn’t get half of the praise he deserves.
Yeah, Zemeckis directing this has me optimistic. I think Carell is great, too, with the right role.
I want to watch the documentary again, but I’ll wait until I’ve seen the new movie first. I don’t remember the courtroom “face your attackers” issue shown in the trailers being in the documentary, but it’s been a long time so I might be forgetting. Anyone remember if that was in the doc?
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### Author:  [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2018, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/11 "2018-12-18T22:39:45Z")
It’s now three days before WTM’s release date, but there are no reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. It looks like the movie wasn’t screened for reviewers, so don’t be surprised if it turns out to be a stinker.
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### Author:  [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2018, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/12 "2018-12-18T22:55:11Z")
Don’t you say that; don’t put that bad juju out there, Rocket!
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### Author:  [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2018, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/13 "2018-12-19T00:16:11Z")
I guess I am the dissenter here because I think the trailer looks incredibly bad–horrible visuals, cloying sentimentality, heavy-handed “uplift”, and lame-brain comedic moments.
This looks like the kind of treacle bullshit that Robin Williams (RIP) would subject us to regularly in the second half of the career: _Jack, Patch Adams, Bicentennial Man, Jakob the Liar._ Well-meaning but wholly unbearable.
And Robert _Forrest Gump_ Zemeckis is incapable of handling any difficult material with a modicum of subtlety or sensitivity. We had to suffer through his post-Oscar “uncanny valley” phase (the animated _Polar Express, Beowulf, A Christmas Carol_) and now he’s clearly moved on to “Let’s make a completely unnecessary dramatic remake of an excellent documentary”, first with _The Walk_ (which is pale, anemic, and soulless compared to the magnificent **Man on Wire** ) and now this turdburger. Any excuse to deliver some gratuitous whiz-bang, gee-golly special effects.
If it’s good in any way, it will be a miracle.
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2018, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/14 "2018-12-19T00:41:54Z")
I was amused that the trailer describes this as “the most original film of the year” as well as “based on an inspirational true story”.
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### Author:  [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2018, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/15 "2018-12-19T01:44:13Z")
> [@MovieMogul](#):
>
> I guess I am the dissenter here because I think the trailer looks incredibly bad–horrible visuals, cloying sentimentality, heavy-handed “uplift”, and lame-brain comedic moments.
>
> This looks like the kind of treacle bullshit that Robin Williams (RIP) would subject us to regularly in the second half of the career: _Jack, Patch Adams, Bicentennial Man, Jakob the Liar._ Well-meaning but wholly unbearable.
>
> And Robert _Forrest Gump_ Zemeckis is incapable of handling any difficult material with a modicum of subtlety or sensitivity. We had to suffer through his post-Oscar “uncanny valley” phase (the animated _Polar Express, Beowulf, A Christmas Carol_) and now he’s clearly moved on to “Let’s make a completely unnecessary dramatic remake of an excellent documentary”, first with _The Walk_ (which is pale, anemic, and soulless compared to the magnificent **Man on Wire** ) and now this turdburger. Any excuse to deliver some gratuitous whiz-bang, gee-golly special effects.
>
> If it’s good in any way, it will be a miracle.
I will say that the presence of Janelle Monae did put me off a bit.
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### Author:  [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2018, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/16 "2018-12-19T14:22:42Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#):
>
> It’s now three days before WTM’s release date, but there are no reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. It looks like the movie wasn’t screened for reviewers, so don’t be surprised if it turns out to be a stinker.
Yeah, still nothing as of this AM.
OTOH, there was one movie released recently (I forget which) that had the same deal and it turned out to have a positive rating.
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### Author:  [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2018, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/17 "2018-12-19T18:16:00Z")
Some reviews coming out and they’re not looking good so far:
> **[Welcome to Marwen](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/welcome_to_marwen)**
>
> No one expects Mark Hogancamp to recover from a devastating assault that wipes away all of his memories. Putting together pieces from the past and present, Mark meticulously creates a Belgian town and becomes a heroic World War II fighter pilot. His...
Disappointing. I’ll still see it at some point, but I’ll probably wait for it to hit video.
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### Author:  [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2018, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/18 "2018-12-19T18:39:50Z")
> [@Tangent](#):
>
> Some reviews coming out and they’re not looking good so far:
> [Welcome to Marwen | Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/welcome_to_marwen)
I’m not surprised.
ISTM that they have saturated us with trailers for this for the last 6 months. For a prestige picture like this (A list director and star), that is often a sign that they think it doesn’t have “legs”, meaning it will not see repeat business or good word of mouth leading to a long stay in the theaters. Instead, by bombarding us with marketing they hope to get a good opening weekend and then let it die a quick death once word gets out.
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### Author:  [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2018, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/19 "2018-12-19T18:51:28Z")
> [@MovieMogul](#):
>
> I guess I am the dissenter here because I think the trailer looks incredibly bad–horrible visuals, cloying sentimentality, heavy-handed “uplift”, and lame-brain comedic moments.
>
> This looks like the kind of treacle bullshit that Robin Williams (RIP) would subject us to regularly in the second half of the career: _Jack, Patch Adams, Bicentennial Man, Jakob the Liar._ Well-meaning but wholly unbearable.
I’d like to correct that to more like the “middle half of his career.” The last decade and change still had some clunkers (RV, Old Dogs, etc) but he mostly got away from the treacle after the 90s and did some pretty damn good work in some pretty damn weird movies.
But, yeah, this looks really disappointing to me. The trailers have way too much of a glossy, polished, made-for-TV look to everything and Carell just seems like he’s angry and has some PTSD that he’s self-awarely working through by playing with dolls. The drama of Marwencol, to me, came from the profound depth of trauma that Hogancamp suffered and the way his project seemed almost like an unstoppable manifestation of the trauma that he found a measure of healing through controlling. I really, really doubt they can pull it off.
The fact that the trailers seemed both inconsistent with each other and overly by-the-book doesn’t make me feel any better.
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### Author:  [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-marwen-new-movie-based-on-documentary-marwencol/825212/20 "2018-12-19T19:08:57Z")
Well, the movie opens today so they can’t fend off reviews anymore and RT is currently at 16% (with 19 reviews in). That’s worse than **Venom** or **Mortal Engines** and currently puts it in the same league as the most recent **Robin Hood**.
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