We wrap up the Lorene Scafaria trilogy with the delightful under seen comedy, The Meddler. This is a very simple charming comedy about a woman grieving the death of her husband nearly two years ago who can't help but meddle in her daughters life. As she meddles and grieves her husband she finds there are people in her life and her daughter's life who actually need her help.
Susan Sarandon plays Marnie the mom and this is her show. She is so good in this and brings some depth to a character that would be a nuisance in almost any other film. Scafaria is really good at making us see the other side of a character who we assume will be annoying. Take Marnie for example. At the start of the film she comes across as an annoying over protective mother with no concept of boundaries who thinks salt bagels fix everything, a running joke in the movie. But then we come to see how complicated this character is. Marnie feels guilty over the money she received from her husband's death, he did very well. She thinks money fixes everything and so just throws it at any problem, whether that problem is hers or not.
Her daughter, Lori, played by the amazing Rose Byrne, is also a character that goes beyond a stereotype. At first she just seems like a bratty daughter pushing her mother away. But as things are revealed about her we come to know and understand Lori. It seems simple and a no brainer. Well of course, characters develop as the story progresses. But the way Scafaria just feels different. It's like she's playing on tropes and wants us to prejudge these characters so she can make the reveal of who they are more impactful.
I find The Meddler very clever and funny. It's not always laugh out loud funny but it does have it's moments. Sarandon completely sells this film and without her I'm not sure this would even be worth talking about, even with how much I admire Scafaria's writing. I hope some of you watch these three films and discover Lorene Scafaria. I suggest doing them in the order of Nick and Norah, Seeking a Friend For the End of the World, and then The Meddler. Scafaria has a new movie in the works and I'm excited. I hope she gains more name recognition because my God she deserves it.
Susan Sarandon plays Marnie the mom and this is her show. She is so good in this and brings some depth to a character that would be a nuisance in almost any other film. Scafaria is really good at making us see the other side of a character who we assume will be annoying. Take Marnie for example. At the start of the film she comes across as an annoying over protective mother with no concept of boundaries who thinks salt bagels fix everything, a running joke in the movie. But then we come to see how complicated this character is. Marnie feels guilty over the money she received from her husband's death, he did very well. She thinks money fixes everything and so just throws it at any problem, whether that problem is hers or not.
Her daughter, Lori, played by the amazing Rose Byrne, is also a character that goes beyond a stereotype. At first she just seems like a bratty daughter pushing her mother away. But as things are revealed about her we come to know and understand Lori. It seems simple and a no brainer. Well of course, characters develop as the story progresses. But the way Scafaria just feels different. It's like she's playing on tropes and wants us to prejudge these characters so she can make the reveal of who they are more impactful.
I find The Meddler very clever and funny. It's not always laugh out loud funny but it does have it's moments. Sarandon completely sells this film and without her I'm not sure this would even be worth talking about, even with how much I admire Scafaria's writing. I hope some of you watch these three films and discover Lorene Scafaria. I suggest doing them in the order of Nick and Norah, Seeking a Friend For the End of the World, and then The Meddler. Scafaria has a new movie in the works and I'm excited. I hope she gains more name recognition because my God she deserves it.
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