Movies

‘Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore’ chronicles the actor’s personal battle for dignity

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As a cinephile, I’ve always been captivated by the indomitable spirit that shines through in performances. Intriguingly, Marlee Matlin, an exceptional actress, has chosen to etch two words onto her wrists as personal reminders – “perseverance” on one side and “warrior” on the other. These tattoos serve as a testament to her unyielding resilience and fierce determination, both on and off the screen.

In “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” she explains after 37 years, she’s still pushing forward, saying. She often gazes at the tattoo on her left wrist that she got long ago, remarking, “I do it every single day.

Title “Not Alone Anymore” does not mark the debut of celebrity documentaries honoring their subjects’ resilience. Yet, director Shoshannah Stern’s heartfelt portrayal stands out for its insights into both the subject, Oscar winner Marlee Matlin, and the complex struggles faced by the Deaf community she represents. At 59, Marlee Matlin’s legacy is deeply rooted in her perseverance; however, this documentary poignantly illustrates that her fights against addiction and sexual abuse have been significantly tougher than those commonly experienced by other celebrities.

The movie’s creativity is evident right from its opening scenes, where closed captions interpret the sounds accompanying the production company logos: “[low humming]”, “[dramatic, echoey flutters].” Throughout the documentary, these captions are used extensively, and every speaking character, including Deaf participants, has subtitles. This thoughtful approach makes “Not Alone Anymore” more accessible for Deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers.

Furthermore, this recognition is also a quiet tribute to Matlin’s pioneering efforts in the late 1980s. With her growing influence, she successfully persuaded legislators to mandate closed captioning on televisions – a significant advancement for a group who had been denied a more immersive media experience previously.

Entertainment & Arts

As a movie critic reflecting on my personal experiences, I can’t help but marvel at Marlee Matlin’s indelible impact on cinema. In “Not Alone Anymore,” she captivatingly recounts her extraordinary journey that began when, at just 19 years old, I was unexpectedly chosen to shine in my debut film – the 1986 adaptation of “Children of a Lesser God.” This gripping tale, based on Mark Medoff’s celebrated play, revolves around a love story between Sarah, a Deaf janitor, and James, a hearing teacher. My performance in this role earned me an Oscar, making me the first Deaf actress to achieve such an honor. (It’s worth noting that I still hold the record for the youngest lead actress recipient.) At the time, my victory was celebrated not only as a testament to my budding talent but also as a beacon of triumph for the Deaf community, who all too often feel sidelined and underestimated. However, as this poignant documentary reveals, true progress would prove to be a complex and challenging endeavor.

For many years, friends Matlin and Stern, both Deaf actors, have had comfortable, familiar chats that are captured in their interviews. In her directorial debut, Stern skillfully explores the life of Matlin, revealing details about her struggles with drug addiction, tumultuous romance with William Hurt from “Lesser God”, and allegations of sexual and physical abuse against him (who passed away in 2022).

However, “Not Alone Anymore” tenderly explores the distinct challenges that Matlin’s deafness posed as she coped with her traumatic experiences. When she entered rehab, the institution lacked resources to cater to a deaf patient. Additionally, during a profound conversation about Matlin’s sexual abuse, she recounts her upbringing without comprehending the term “domestic violence.

She explains to Stern that deaf individuals primarily use their vision to gather information, offering a revealing example of the risks associated with linguistic impoverishment, a term often used within the Deaf community.

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Even though Matlin won an Oscar, she often had to fight for recognition in an industry that seemed indifferent to Deaf roles. Stern highlights the film “CODA” (2021’s best picture winner, where Matlin starred) as a positive resolution for her career, but acknowledges that the struggle for increased representation of the Deaf community continues. However, if “Not Alone Anymore” occasionally overemphasizes optimistic feelings, Matlin’s journey carries a somewhat bitter taste.

Through her decades of captivating, expressive performances, Marlee Matlin stands out as a compelling figure in documentaries – warm, humorous, and candid – despite the visible scars from a challenging upbringing marked by childhood sexual abuse. Beyond advocating for the Deaf community, Matlin has become a powerful voice for survivors, speaking up even when her words were not readily accepted. The book “Not Alone Anymore” remarks, subtly ironic, that Matlin published her memoir “I’ll Scream Later” in 2009, years prior to the #MeToo movement. As a result, her allegations against Sean Penn didn’t hold the same media weight as those that eventually brought down figures like Harvey Weinstein.

On numerous occasions, Matlin found herself patiently waiting for the world to align with her perspective. Arriving in Hollywood, she could never have foreseen the indomitable spirit she’d develop. The title “Not Alone Anymore” pays tribute to a woman who mastered the art of standing up for herself.

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2025-06-27 20:01

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