The Meddler
Highlights:
The Meddler opens April 22 in New York and Los Angeles. In New York it will be showing at the Lincoln Plaza and the Angelika Film Center.
With a new iPhone, an apartment near the Grove, and a comfortable bank account left to her by her beloved late husband, Marnie Minervini has happily relocated from New Jersey to Los Angeles to be near her daughter Lori, a successful (but still single) screenwriter, and smother her with motherly love. But when the dozens of texts, unexpected visits, and conversations dominated by unsolicited advice force Lori to draw strict personal boundaries, Marnie finds ways to channel her eternal optimism and forceful generosity to change the lives of others - as well as her own - and find a new purpose in life.
Director:
Lorene Scafaria
Cast:
Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne, J.K. Simmons
Screenplay:
Lorene Scafaria
Screening Date:
Apr 09, 2016
Studio:
Sony Pictures Classics
Running Time:
100 minutes
| Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17.8% | 35.5% | 28.9% | 17.8% | 0.0% |
“What’s not to love about a film that includes a dance sequence with chickens and a Dolly Parton score? Plus Susan Sarandon was magical. The fact that this story gets to be told from a grandmother’s point of view and she gets to do the living, crying, loving is terrific and about time.”
“Great soundtrack.”
“Lorena Scafaria is very talented, I liked ‘Seeking A Friend For The End of the World,’ and this is better.”
“Very enjoyable.”
“I loved this film. Brilliantly written, directed and acted. Yes, a poor title, outstanding in every other way!”
“Bad title!”
“Regarding the light bulb in the engagement ring box: the reference was to Hitchcock’s SUSPICION with the light in the glass of milk.”
“Sarandon is a master of her material, even if in this case it’s less than challenging. Nice to see her tackle lighter stuff.”
“Great movie! We need more of this genre.”
“Rose Byrne’s character is underwritten. I know this is Sarandon’s story but Lori should have been a major player in all this.”
“A minor motion picture, but a well-crafted and enjoyable one. This film used a light and accessible hand to present a family dealing with loss and the challenge of moving forward.”
“This turned out to be a lot better than I thought it was going to be. Overall it was a sweet, charming and touching feel-good film and to me overly saccharine. Actually presents for serious psychological discussion issues of loss, denial as a defense boundary issue. Marnie’s character is multilayered, not just a stereotype of the boundary-less mother who cannot see her actions. Liked the exploration of the emotions. Liked the fact that the credits ran slowly enough to read them. One of the best lines: ‘My daughter shot a pilot.’ Brother of Apple employee scene was just a vehicle to have her walk around high.”
“Liked it more as it progressed. Sarandon looks better with age. Excellent performance. Some exaggerated parts but all in all a worthwhile film. Lost of emotional truths. She was smart and simple at the same time.”
“Well intentioned…”
“The cast was good but a little old. Needs a guy at the end?”
“A star turn for Susan Sarandon in a silly chick flick. Gives helicopter mother new meaning!”
“Am I looking in a mirror? Great Sarandon charming story…we’ve grown into it. I guess it was a chick flick…but I loved it.”
“Walken and Fatherhood are no match for Sarandon and a meddling Mom. In fact Walken needed more meddling in his family and Sarandon a little less.”
“Uplifting and a change of the usual Saturday fare. I saw a little of myself in the Susan Sarandon character. Perhaps that’s why my daughters keep suggesting online senior dating sites!”
“I expected more from Susan Sarandon. The movie was ho-hum. Nothing to it. Bland, uninspiring and pointless. I hope they all have happy futures.”
“As soon as JK Simmons enters the picture the film shifted for the better. Two borrowed moments - one from THE GRADUATE popping toast as punch line, and the egg put in a hole in the toast from MOONSTRUCK. Hateful moments: excessive eating of the marijuana after the brother of the Apple guy leaves the car and the growing wedding plans and the shrink from hell. Michael McKean’s two scenes. Rose Bryne - most annoying daughter award.”
“First of all great to see movies about women of this age, and this one was very good. Nice screenplay that avoids the cliches, a nice mix of humor and pathos, and Sarandon is wonderful.”
If you'd like to know more about the film...
The link below leads to an interview with the director of The Meddler, Lorene Scafaria. In the interview she discusses certain aspects of the film as well as some insight into her creative process.
http://filmmakermagazine.com/95592-tiff-5-questions-for-the-meddler-writ...
The Meddler concerns the relationship between a mother and daugher. The main aspect of this relationship that is highlighted is the constant influence the mother has on the daughter. The concept of a parent taking much of an intesrest in their child's life is one that is up for debate, such as in the film as the actions of the mother can be interpreted as either a meddler or nurturer. A meddling parent is often seen when a child is young and the link below leads to a page in which it discusses meddling parents and their young children as well as examples of it going to far
http://www.parenting.com/article/parents-who-meddle-too-much
The link below to leads to the official facebook page for the film the Meddler. If you would like more information on the film or would simply like to show support for the film make sure to check out the page.
