Overview
A passionate journey of self-discovery and ambition unfolds against the backdrop of societal constraints.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- passionate
- melancholic
- intellectually restless
- quiet evening
- arthouse film night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film ambitious and rewarding in its examination of personal fulfillment, class, social mobility, and artistic identity.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Martin pursues self-education and literary recognition as a route out of proletarian poverty and into elite society.
The film's presentation of Martin's story incorporates a strong sense of historical and documentary texture rather than conventional period realism.
Martin's passionate relationship with Elena is inseparable from the gulf between his destitute circumstances and her privileged family background.
Martin treats becoming a writer and achieving literary status as the central means of remaking himself.
Films like Martin Eden, and why
The Great Gatsby
shared themes of literary ambition, class mobility, self-education, and romantic idealism in a period drama
The Story of Adele H.
shared focus on a working-class outsider pursuing cultural status through writing and personal transformation
The Talented Mr. Ripley
shared themes of social ascent, artistic ambition, and the emotional costs of self-invention
Movie Details
- Director
- Pietro Marcello
- Release Date
- 2019-09-04
- Runtime
- 129 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (703)
Cast
- Luca Marinelli
- Jessica Cressy
- Carlo Cecchi
- Vincenzo Nemolato
- Marco Leonardi
- Denise Sardisco
- Carmen Pommella
- Autilia Ranieri
- Elisabetta Valgoi
- Pietro Ragusa
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Kino Film Collection
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Martin Eden about?
- A passionate working-class autodidact pursues literary greatness and forbidden social elevation, discovering that self-invention carries a heavy emotional price.
- What is Martin Eden like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Martin Eden as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Martin Eden violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Martin Eden as mild.
- What did critics think of Martin Eden?
- Critics broadly found the film ambitious and rewarding in its examination of personal fulfillment, class, social mobility, and artistic identity.
- Which films are like Martin Eden?
- Films with a similar feel include The Great Gatsby, The Story of Adele H., and The Talented Mr. Ripley.
- How long is Martin Eden?
- Martin Eden runs 129 minutes.
- Where can I watch Martin Eden?
- In United States, Martin Eden streams on Kino Film Collection.
