The Meddler

Audience Reviews

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Rey L Oct 22, 2018 84% critics. Thats higher than forrest gump you idiots. Susan Sarandon with strange accent. A bunch of pregnant women complaining. Its not even funny See more

Kylo L Jul 19, 2018 Susan Sarandon is superb, as always, however even she alone can't carry this film's slow and incredibly subtle plot. I streamed this on netflix and I found my mind wandering multiple times and wondering why I was still watching it. I felt like I spent 2 hours watching the beginning of a film waiting for at least one potential plot line to take off. The story telling was incredibly shallow, without any kind of emotional depth accompanying the difficult topics it tries to tackle. When it ended I felt indifferent to any kind of message it was attempting to convey. The two stars are for Sarandon alone, whom stands apart from the rest of the film. She is without doubt the only endearing aspect of the film. See more

Han S Nov 16, 2017 While Lorene Scafaria has only made one other film, she is one of my foremost favorite female and independent film directors. She writes relatable, funny, realistic characters who act on instinct and fellowship. Looking at the poster, I thought this was going to be a run-of-the-mill comedy about mothers and daughters not relating, a tired trope that often makes for ugly stereotypes and over-the-top acting (see The Guilt Trip). Through a beautiful cosmic set of circumstances the right people were cast, the story was told, and here we are with a radiant and relatable film. While the poster suggests this story is all about mother-daughter relations, it actually centers on the mother, Marnie Minervini (Susan Sarandon). Marnie moves to Los Angeles from New York to be closer to her middle-aged daughter, Lori (Bryne) who finds her widowed mother to be meddling. When Lori has to go to the East Coast for work, Marnie has to find her own way, eventually becoming a powerful force in strangers' lives. Throughout the film Marnie is gracious and giving, though guilty about her large inheritance from her dead husband. Along the way she also learns to love again and that her energies can help any number of people. With a great supporting cast (including J.K. Simmons, Cecily Strong, and Jerrod Carmichael) this story is both perplexingly original and yet familiar, like the feel of a worn terrycloth robe. Scafaria related in interviews that a lot of Marnie's character came from her own mother, a widow from New Jersey who has since followed her talented daughter on her press tours for this film. It makes sense that there is an authenticity to the character, because Marnie feels like all our mothers: a little judgmental, pretty outspoken, and loves and supports you in every single possible way. The only thing that detracts from the plot is the constant moving between both coasts. It somewhat confuses the story, lends to disambiguation about Lori's relationship with her ex, Jacob (Ritter), and slows the action. I know we switch so Marnie is confronted with what she has do to with her husband's ashes, and it lends to a better understanding of her life before she moved to LA, but the best parts of the story take place in LA. Otherwise, I thought this entire film was a wonderful surprise, and that Scafaria should continue making personal, entertaining films such as this. See more

Finn W Aug 24, 2017 I guarantee this has a Rotten user score because this didn't have nearly as much Rose Byrne as you would've expected! Or even J.K. Simmons for that matter! Even if this sucked, compared to the train wreck that got worse with each act Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, this is would be really good.! But this really is very good! Not that funny, but it's very well written, everyone gives outstanding and memorable performances, it's very well directed, and I personally really loved it! I'm not quite sure how much re-watch value this would have, but I think I'd like to watch it at least once more time! This review, and the last one, for Sleepers, were both written today, 8/24/17, but were supposed to be written yesterday, 8/23/17. See more

Hagrid S Aug 6, 2017 With a cracking lead performance by Susan Sarandon this comedy drama may be cliched, narratively somewhat predictable and bit been there done that but thanks to her stellar performance, a solid supporting cast, a funny and heartfelt script, a decent score/soundtrack and being overall a charming experience this film manages to mostly overcome its flaws. See more

Poe R Jul 9, 2017 While the movie turns out to be a good gift for every mother to enjoy because of Sarandon and Byrne, The Meddler is pretty much gone from the memory. See more

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The Meddler

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