On 29 July 2015 Listen to Me Marlon was released theatrically in the United States; screening in over 140 cities during a ten-week run. The film was nominated for a Gotham Award.[6]
Reception
Box office
Listen to Me Marlon grossed £47,869[7] (US$70,558) in the United Kingdom and $445,779 in other territories, for a total worldwide gross of $516,337.[8]
Critical response
Upon its premiere in 2015, the film received positive reviews from critics.
On review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 96% based on 102 reviews, with an average rating of 8.0/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "Listen to Me Marlon offers a fascinating look at the inner life of a Hollywood icon, told in his own words."[9]
The Village Voice called it "a masterpiece"[10] and David Edelstein lists it as "the greatest, most searching documentary of an actor ever put on film."[11] According to Vanity Fair, it "is a compelling documentary about Marlon Brando compiled entirely from private audio tapes the actor recorded at home, in business meetings, during hypnosis, in therapy, and during press interviews."[12]
Variety writes Brando's "complexity is limned as well as a documentary possibly could manage... Made with the full cooperation of the Brando estate, the pic is a superbly crafted collage whose soundtrack is as complexly textured as the curation and editing of visual elements."[13] As Rolling Stone summed it up: "You want Brando Confidential? Fine, you've got it."[14]
