Tribeca Film Festival: Mark Mary and Some Other People: A Comedic Look into Ethical Non-Monogamy
Photo / Video Credit: Courtesy of Tribeca Festival
A millennial who wears an assortment of food themed earrings, has a band that constantly transitions between sexually themed names, does voice-over work, and is occasionally costumed as a sexy maid while cleaning houses meets a man with a serial killer mustache and an iphone voice feature habit whose current life concern is the caloric difference between Fritos and Doritos. Mark, Mary, & Some Other People premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival on June 10th and follows the marriage between Mark (Ben Rosenfield) and Mary (Hayley Law) as they navigate an “ethical non-monogamous relationship.”
Despite being primarily about an open relationship, the film is exactly as the title suggests- it is about Mark, Mary, and some other people. Hannah Marks, the film’s director, sought to create a project that deviated from the expected and presented a romantic storyline that is not often depicted in media despite its increased prevalence in society. So, while the film is not a classic rom-com, it is not any less romantic and is possibly more comedic than average. Viewers, including myself, are likely to hold preconceived notions about polyamory and how it relates to romance; Many equate polyamory with cheating and every other negative connotation that comes with it, so “classic romance” that is often depicted in media seems like its antonym.
Photo / Video Credit: Courtesy of Tribeca Festival
In her director’s statement, Marks’ writes that “After reading articles and books on the topic [ethical non-monogamy], I learned that usually the partner that feels the most new and exciting, is your own partner, once seen in a different light.” This is an interesting statement that forms the backbone of the film. The chemistry between Law and Rosenfield’s characters seems so organic, and both move closer to each other while exploring their identities with “others.” Law’s Mary, who initiated the open relationship, falls much more on the open end of the relationship spectrum as she believes monogamy to be unnatural while Rosenfield’s Mark falls on the traditional end as he is originally insulted by Mary’s request. As the two eventually consent to being open, they form a set of rules through consistent check-ins and move closer together on the spectrum as Mary realizes she is more traditional than she thinks while Mark is more open than he thinks.
Photo / Video Credit: Courtesy of Tribeca Festival
The film is as funny as it is educational in terms of subverting gender cliches and discussing societal norms relative to relationships. A lot of the comedic scenes happen between Rosenfield and Law, however friends portrayed by Odessa A'Zion, Nik Dodani, Matt Shively, and Sofia Bryant add an unexpected richness to the film. Along with being funny, the film delves into its fair share of more difficult scenes about pregnancy, STDs, and relationship disagreements. The most compelling scenes are simple and charming. One particular scene is of Mary and Mark taking pictures of each other for their Crush'd dating app profiles; the scene includes the hyper-realistic commentary of Mark being embarrassed to take photos and dancing awkwardly after seeing a picture of himself in which he “actually looks good.”
Photo / Video Credit: Courtesy of Tribeca Festival
Mark, Mary, & Some Other People is essentially a think piece in the form of comedy. The viewer, like Mary and Mark, is left to see through the lens of polyamory while possibly moving one way or the other on the relationship spectrum that the couple navigate.
Article by Tessa Swantek, Contributing Editor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Kenisha Seth, Contributor, Photobook Magazine
