The Meddler

While writer-director Lorene Scafaria may have based this dramedy on her own overbearing mother, she misses far too many chances for inspiration and insight. Recently widowed Marnie Minervini (Susan Sarandon), a Brooklyn native, has moved from New Jersey to Los Angeles to be near her thirtysomething daughter Lori (Rose Byrne), a perplexed, perpetually pouting TV writer who was recently dumped by her boyfriend (Jason Ritter). Marnie is well-off financially, but she's lonely. So she calls and texts Lori incessantly—until Lori says, “I think it's time we set some boundaries.” Undaunted, good-hearted Marnie starts befriending strangers—such as an ambitious lad (Jerrod Carmichael) at the Apple Store, Lori's pal (Cecily Strong) who yearns for an elaborate lesbian wedding, and a retired cop (J.K. Simmons) Marnie meets when she inadvertently strolls into the filming of a movie scene. If this had been a sitcom, it might have worked better; unfortunately, the story is far too shallow and contrived to make a good feature film. Sarandon is Scafaria's saving-grace, her Marnie so kind, loving, and generous that it's difficult not to succumb to her maternal charm. On the other hand, Byrne's weepy Lori is so self-absorbed that it's hard to feel much sympathy for her trials and tribulations. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by costar Susan Sarandon and director Lorene Scafaria, a “making-of” featurette (16 min.), a segment on “The Real Marnie” (12 min.), a gag reel (4 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an uneven film.] (S. Granger)