Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore review – stirring study of activism and adversity of a deaf icon

A compelling portrait of actor and campaigner Marlee Matlin’s life reveals she achieved much more than her widely lauded 1980s Oscar winShoshannah Stern’s study of Marlee Matlin is a film with a real story to tell, about a woman who became a compelling figure in American public life. She is perhaps destined to be known chiefly as the first deaf performer to win an Oscar, for the movie Children of a Lesser God in 1987, but she also campaigned to ensure that Washington DC’s Gallaudet University for deaf and hearing-impaired people had a deaf president, and that all new TV sets were built with optional closed-captioning for deaf people. Generally, she has conducted an ongoing campaign to do away with the condescension of pity, and to raise awareness among hearing people about deaf people’s consciousness and culture, particularly in sign language.Matlin revealed something more in her 2009 autobiography I’ll Scream Later: a history of drug addiction (the Betty Ford clinic told her she had to pay for her own interpreter) and of being sexually abused as a child. She also revealed she’d been abused as an adult by her partner William Hurt, her method-acting co-star in Children of a Lesser God, who was perhaps less than delighted to see all the acclaim go to her and was, in a pre-#MeToo period of exposure, singularly unrepentant. There are some toe-curling TV clips of Matlin being patronised by pundits as the “sympathy vote” candidate ahead of the 1987 Oscars, and Stern also perhaps mischievously catches out some people in the present day: Nicole Kidman didn’t look entirely relaxed applauding in sign language as the drama Coda, about a hearing girl in a deaf family, won at the 2022 Oscars. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

Period drama hailed ‘the best movie of the last 20 years’ arrives on Amazon Prime

Metro

How Hulk Hogan’s family life fell apart: From hit reality show to bitter divorce, racial slurs and daughter’s estrangement

about 16 hours ago

Love Island UK fans ‘never been happier’ as 2025 winners are crowned

Metro

Comments

Culture

Period drama hailed ‘the best movie of the last 20 years’ arrives on Amazon Prime

George Clooney calls out criticism of his acting abilities

Two Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins stars quit series within minutes

Jamie Lee Curtis gets emotional over Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson romance rumours

Sally Hawkins says starring in Paddington 3 would have ‘broken her heart’

US rock band fires bassist for sharing ‘highly offensive’ Ozzy Osbourne meme

Actor slams AI-altered re-release of his popular Bollywood film: ‘Threatens integrity of storytelling’

‘I bought a painting for £35 – it was the find of a lifetime worth £50,000’

Strictly star investigated over drug use on show ‘also suspected of drinking’

Inside Jay Blades’ career as The Repair Shop host charged with two counts of rape

The Repair Shop host Jay Blades appears in court on coercive control charge

BBC Radio’s Jo Whiley reveals the two music icons who left her feeling ‘tiny and stupid’

Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver’s fight in Marriage Story being used to scare off wolves

Prime Video’s latest sci-fi reboot bombs with 0% Rotten Tomatoes score

Rod Stewart criticised for ‘disrespectful’ AI Ozzy Osbourne tribute at recent concert

Rolling Stones guitarist has an axe to grind over Met museum’s Gibson Les Paul

Line of Duty legend drops biggest hint so far ‘official’ BBC return will happen

Chloe Ayling: ‘The email that made me realise why people doubted my kidnapping’

Pop legend wants to headline Glastonbury 2027 for 10-year anniversary of ‘iconic’ set

Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied bail again ahead of sentencing

Jo Whiley says Eminem and Dr Dre made her feel ‘tiny and stupid’ in ‘unpleasant’ interview

Jack Osbourne says he ‘is not close at all’ with sister who shunned reality TV stardom

Family Guy creator praises ‘incredible’ South Park despite rivalry with animated show

The 35 greatest debut albums of all time, from Joy Division to Oasis

Beloved WWE star’s contract ‘expires this weekend’ with no deal in sight

Repair Shop's Jay Blades charged with two counts of rape

Why Donald Trump is talking about actress Sydney Sweeney

Chris Hemsworth on performing alongside Ed Sheeran: ‘It was an out of body experience’

Coronation Street shock as actor bids ‘farewell’ to ITV soap

How the charts found God: the creeping dominance of faith-pop

Ed Sheeran fans ‘never been so excited’ as singer reunites with Rupert Grint after 14 years

Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris alleges lawyers are ‘skimming money’ from his estate

Ty Burrell reveals why he has ‘no regrets’ leaving Hollywood after Modern Family

Chloe Ayling says people ‘still don’t believe’ she was kidnapped in Italy

David Tennant transforms into investigative journalist in first look at ITV’s new phone hacking drama

Melania Trump opens application for performers looking to share their talents at the White House during Christmas

Dolly Parton named Guinness World Records icon

Akiva Schaffer on 'The Naked Gun' reboot , The Lonely Island and more

Machine Gun Kelly claims he turned down an audition for one of the year’s biggest and best movies – here’s why

Chris Hemsworth on performing alongside Ed Sheeran: ‘It was an out of body experience’

The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades charged with two counts of rape

Donald Trump wades into Sydney Sweeney ad debate

Love Island 2025 winners revealed after drama-filled series

Hemsworth on facing fears, ageing and return of Thor

Screaming match from Netflix’s Marriage Story used by US government for bizarre reason

Moment Love Island 2025 winners crowned after eight weeks of drama

Jane Morgan death: Singer and widow of Jerry Weintraub dies at 101

From Gawker sex tape to MAGA turn: Hulk Hogan was no stranger to controversy inside and outside the ring

How Hulk Hogan’s family life fell apart: From hit reality show to bitter divorce, racial slurs and daughter’s estrangement

Love Island UK fans ‘never been happier’ as 2025 winners are crowned

TV fans baffled as sizzling period drama plays completely in Spanish

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Is Denied Bail, and Will Remain Jailed Until Sentencing

King of the Hill revival pays tribute to Jonathan Joss after fatal shooting

Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris alleges lawyers are ‘skimming money’ from his estate

Ozzy tributes gathered to pass on to family

Calvin Harris shares placenta photos after birth of son

Melania Trump opens application for performers looking to share their talents at the White House during Christmas

TV channel that launched careers of celebrities quietly axed after 30 years

Fiona Phillips’ husband Martin Frizell reveals ITV star’s ‘biggest frustration’ with Alzheimer’s

Star of hit Indian film criticises re-release's AI-altered ending