The Meddler

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: April 22, 2016

6.1	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Ratings

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Mary805May 22, 2016

This movie was what I call a renter, and not worth the cost of movie tickets. I really was cheering for this movie, with better writing, this could have been a great movie, but it kept letting me down. The movie trailer was way better thanThis movie was what I call a renter, and not worth the cost of movie tickets. I really was cheering for this movie, with better writing, this could have been a great movie, but it kept letting me down. The movie trailer was way better than the movie.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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BHBarryMay 1, 2016

"The Meddler" stars Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne and J.K. Simmons in this almost autobiographical story of a girl and her mom written and directed by Lorelei Scafaria.
Light in its script, the film, nevertheless, is a wonderful vehicle for Ms."The Meddler" stars Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne and J.K. Simmons in this almost autobiographical story of a girl and her mom written and directed by Lorelei Scafaria.
Light in its script, the film, nevertheless, is a wonderful vehicle for Ms. Sarandon who confirms what everyone who has seen her in prior films knows…..she is one terrific actress. Having the ability to communicate in silent expressions the deepest emotions and feelings, she is a delight to watch. Though touted as a "chick-flick" and with not too deep a tale, thanks to Ms. Sarandon, the film is easy to watch and enjoy. I give it 7.0 with the knowledge that every mother and daughter will find special joy and identification in viewing it and I also believe that the dads will too.… Expand

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TVJerryMay 23, 2016

Established actors sometimes find movies with a quirky character that allows them to flex their acting muscles. This is the case for Susan Sarandon, as she plays a New Jersey mother who moves to LA to be closer to her daughter (Rose Byrne).Established actors sometimes find movies with a quirky character that allows them to flex their acting muscles. This is the case for Susan Sarandon, as she plays a New Jersey mother who moves to LA to be closer to her daughter (Rose Byrne). As the title suggests, she can't leave anyone alone: She's driven to express her opinion, give advice and even offer money. Though it's promoted as a comedy, this is more a lite drama that examines a complex woman thru several sweet interactions. As expected, Sarandon has spunky charm, but she also manages moments of quiet poignancy. The cast is good (J. K. Simmons is esp. warm) and the pace never lags. Sarandon doesn't give a flashy performance and the movie isn't striving for hilarity, but its low-key charms are undeniable.… Expand

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gfnyMay 31, 2016

Excellent direction and storyline. Susan Sarandon turned in a top performance and even went back to her roots with a great New York accent. Good enough for an Oscar nomination. The film has a deeper social meaning of what life is about.

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GreatMartinMay 18, 2016

There are many reasons to see “The Meddler” and 4 are Susan Sarandon, Sarandon, Susan Sarandon and Susan Sarandon. There is a scene of pure joy when she, playing Marnie, starts laughing out of control with her daughter Lori, played by RoseThere are many reasons to see “The Meddler” and 4 are Susan Sarandon, Sarandon, Susan Sarandon and Susan Sarandon. There is a scene of pure joy when she, playing Marnie, starts laughing out of control with her daughter Lori, played by Rose Byrne. In another scene it seems like she is having an orgasm just eating a poached egg in the center of a slice of fried bread with classical music in the background with each beat timed with a bite and any food lover will identify with that!

In a scene with J.K. Simmons, playing would be motorcycle suitor---Wait! As he says “I am a Harley Davidson which is a different thing” --she makes him look better on screen than he ever has.

And, yes, you can’t take it away from her because when Susan Sarandon appears in that body hugging red dress with a deep V top, nearing 70 in October, she is still one sexy woman.

The film is not perfect as there is a screenplay by Lorene Scafaria, who also directed, regarding a mother-daughter relationship which strays far afield to the mother paying for a wedding for a Lesbian couple, played by Cecily Strong and Casey Wilson, her going to private sessions with her daughter’s therapist, Amy Landecker, meddling with her daughter’s ex boyfriend, Jason Ritter, and, yes, meddling in the lives of those around her but, in particularly, her daughter’s. She steers a young Black man, Jerrod Carmicheal, who sold her an Iphone in an Apple store, to go back to school and drives him there every night besides buying a set of text books to help him with his exams, not to forget trying to patch up the rift he has with his brother.

Supported with a star studded cast taking small roles such as Harry Hamlin, Laura San Giacomo, not to forget Michael McKean in a slightly bigger role as another suitor of Marnie’s plus 12 bridesmaids with the flower girl being the child of the Lesbian couple there is no doubt that only Susan Sarandon could be THE STAR of this movie! One minor complaint, very minor, every now and then her Brooklyn accent is jarring.

“The Meddler” is a movie worth seeing if only for the ‘loving to eat egg and bread’ scene, the red dress scene and every other scene Sarandon is in!… Expand

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SpangleMay 29, 2016

Funny and poignant, The Meddler is a truly touching look at family, loss, and love. Featuring terrific performances from Susan Sarandon and Rose Byrne, The Meddler may be a pretty typical comedy-drama, but this does not prevent the film fromFunny and poignant, The Meddler is a truly touching look at family, loss, and love. Featuring terrific performances from Susan Sarandon and Rose Byrne, The Meddler may be a pretty typical comedy-drama, but this does not prevent the film from being a truly emotional, touching, and thoroughly enjoyable film. What really helps to elevate the film above its conventional structure is Sarandon's phenomenal performance, as she amounts to being a one woman powerhouse in this film. Even better, the film feels truly authentic and succeeds at wringing drama and comedy out of its poignant slice of life approach. Overall, The Meddler is a film with very well-written characters and good pacing that allows it to never bore you while also making you cry, laugh, and smile.… Expand

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AcaciaMay 25, 2016

This is a wonderful movie that has arrived with no fanfare whatsoever. Susan sarandon is so nice to watch as she plays a recently widowed woman who moves to LA to be close to her daughter Lori (Rose Byrne). She drives Lori crazy with herThis is a wonderful movie that has arrived with no fanfare whatsoever. Susan sarandon is so nice to watch as she plays a recently widowed woman who moves to LA to be close to her daughter Lori (Rose Byrne). She drives Lori crazy with her constant calls, texts and unannounced visits. After Lori temporarily relocates to New York, her mother must find something else to anchor her world. She is a generous person with a huge heart and it isn't long before she has made friends with Lori's friends and made a few of her own, including J.K. Simmoms as a man who finds her very attractive. We watch her grow as an independent woman who is searching for her place in her own world. I enjoyed taking this journey with her.… Expand

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kathytreeceMay 30, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Saw this movie with Jeana A and Landmark Edina, after a late lunch at Edina Grill. It is a quirky comedy with a happy ending. Susan Sarandon's character had an abundance of energy. J.K. Simmons is wonderful as the romantic lead.… Expand

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smiyamotSep 9, 2016

An older woman whose husband died 2 years ago just can't face it. She compensates by "meddling" in her daughter's life since she does not have a life of her own, or can't face the life she has now. By the end of the movie, it all works outAn older woman whose husband died 2 years ago just can't face it. She compensates by "meddling" in her daughter's life since she does not have a life of her own, or can't face the life she has now. By the end of the movie, it all works out and we have a nice "Hollywood" ending.… Expand

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donaldistJun 26, 2016

40/100
Sticks very closely to the formula of the rising "Widow Dramedy" genre- it's possibly the exact same movie as last year's I'll See You in My Dreams, what with both being vehicles for talented aging actresses who've been out of the40/100
Sticks very closely to the formula of the rising "Widow Dramedy" genre- it's possibly the exact same movie as last year's I'll See You in My Dreams, what with both being vehicles for talented aging actresses who've been out of the limelight for a while, featuring the actresses putting their deceased husbands behind them, with some daughter drama and granny takes pot interludes. J.K. Simmons even plays what is essentially a bald Sam Elliot (old Sam appeared in I'll See You in My Dreams and about a dozen more of these movies). We don't need this movie over and over! We need nice little genre pieces like Grandma that resurrect Lily Tomlin for some great character drama. I'm just worried for when Diane Ladd and Tom Selleck get mixed up in these formula-indies.… Expand

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