Don’t get me wrong; I love that there remains a venue for aging actresses. I love that one can still see feature length films featuring Maggie Smith or Lily Tomlin or Sally Field. I just don’t need a full two hours of Susan Sarandon these days. Hell, I didn’t need a full two hours of Susan Sarandon when she paraded around in her underwear in front of Rocky Horror. The Meddler has a lot of Susan, and a lot more than anybody needs.
Do you want Marnie (Sarandon) for a mom? She shows up whether you answer or not. She gets involved in your work, your home, your love life. Mom assumes “plus one” invitation status on parties you decide not to attend (and goes by herself anyway). No complaints from your friends, of course. Pregnant Emily (Lucy Punch) loves her new iPad shower gift. Just wait. Jillian (Cecily Strong) can top that; Marnie is paying for her entire yacht-themed wedding … and one day, she may even learn Jillian’s name.
And yet, for a title of “The Meddler,” I kinda expected more. Sure, mom’s a little meddlesome, but it’s not necessarily her nature; she just trying to occupy 
time in her newfound widowdom. I kind of expected interference on the order of really screwing with lives; Marnie is just a bored woman with time, money and energy. I mean, as movie widows go, she’s daft but benevolent; she isn’t quite prepared for collecting husbands like trophies or donning tight leather and fighting crime … or causing trouble:
Batman: “What’s this? All my crime data has been carefully catalogued …the Batcave has been feng shuied … and Robin is wearing orthotics?! This can only be the work of one person … The Meddler!”
The therapist is a cheat. Yes, it’s cute that Marnie has stolen appointment time from daughter Lori (Rose Byrne) just to find out what Lori has been saying about her. While the scenes are entertaining, however, they spell out exactly what motivates Marnie, which takes away any guess work or debate from the audience. Lorene Scafaria wrote and directed a screenplay about a screenwriter whose mother needs to get a life. Hmmmm. Autobiographical, much? They do always say, “write what you know.” I haven’t done an ounce of research here, but I’d bet a zillion dollars that much of this tale is taken from real life — either hers or somebody she knows or an amalgam of personal anecdotes.
So, hey, maybe you miss having hours of Susan Sarandon to yourself. Or maybe you just miss random sightings of other-generational “celebrities” Harry Hamlin and Laura San Giacomo. Whatever. I’d recommend this film, but I don’t want to meddle.
Who has no life and she don’t care?
Who feeds your dogs when you aren’t there?
Who compensates when life ain’t fair?
The Meddler!
The Meddler!
Who craves attention by the pound?
Who pays your friends when she’s around?
Who breaches every sacred ground?
The Meddler!
The Meddler!
Rated PG-13, 100 Minutes
D: Lorene Scafaria
W: Lorene Scafaria
Genre: Relationship with mom = screenplay
Type of person most likely to enjoy this film: Busybodies
Type of person least likely to enjoy this film: people who are done with Susan Sarandon
