This movie is so much better than I expected when initially seeing its IMDb score. I saw a clip of it in Instagram and thought it'd be an interesting story to watch, but when I saw the rating here I almost gave up on watching it. I'm glad I didn't. The movie was very interesting throughout. It has a great cast and the fact that the story is true makes it all the more engaging. I found myself looking up what the numbers were that Jerry and Marge had made in real life while I was watching it. It is a very compelling, feel good story that will lighten your mood for the day and keep you hooked from beginning to end. Definitely worth a watch in my opinion.
138 Reviews
Great Feel Good Movie
WatchAndSmile18 June 2022
Very good movie and cast. All actors did an excellent job. The trailer sums it up, if it's your cup of tea, you will enjoy it. It has love story, humor, adventure, suspense and evil.
And it was cool to know it was based on a real story, gave it more meaning. A great "feel good" movie
8.4/10.
And it was cool to know it was based on a real story, gave it more meaning. A great "feel good" movie
8.4/10.
Tender and gentle - easy does it
thekarmicnomad22 June 2022
A man who has been forced to retire spots a loophole in the lottery and exploits it to help his town (and himself)
There is not a lot to this movie story wise and I have some sympathy for the reviewers who said they found this boring.
The story is simple and the characters uncomplicated - the small amount of drama that arises is smoothed over to cause more of a hump than a peak.
But saying all that I really liked this.
It is heart warming and non-offensive without being too sickly.
The humour is understated and causes a few chuckles.
The acting and production are all pretty good - but no one is trying for an Oscar here.
In all this was a delightful and relaxing watch.
If you want high excitement or drama then keep jogging - because this is not for you.
But, if you want something that is going to lower your heart rate and make you smile for an hour and a half then don't think twice.
There is not a lot to this movie story wise and I have some sympathy for the reviewers who said they found this boring.
The story is simple and the characters uncomplicated - the small amount of drama that arises is smoothed over to cause more of a hump than a peak.
But saying all that I really liked this.
It is heart warming and non-offensive without being too sickly.
The humour is understated and causes a few chuckles.
The acting and production are all pretty good - but no one is trying for an Oscar here.
In all this was a delightful and relaxing watch.
If you want high excitement or drama then keep jogging - because this is not for you.
But, if you want something that is going to lower your heart rate and make you smile for an hour and a half then don't think twice.
Feel Good Movie! Great Story & Acting!
dan_slentz20 June 2022
Excellent movie loosely based on a real life event of a couple who figured out one lottery game had much better "winnable" odds. WHY some people rate movies like this a 9 or 10 truly makes me wonder WHAT they think a BIG movie (Gone with the Wind, Star Wars, Wizard of Oz, Forest Gump, Titanic, The Ten Commandments) should be rated? Though a sweet story and great acting, visually it's not a "major feature motion picture" deserving of a 8, 9 or 10. It's really worth seeing, and I'd give it a pretty solid 7 rating.
Reel Tunez Movie Review (6/19/22): "Jerry and Marge Go Large"
This is a streaming movie, but it's really a feel-good story. It's loosely based on a real life couple who figured out the odds on one particular lottery game somehow gave the player the advantage. It stars Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening.. and Rainn Wilson.
This really is a nice story and worth watching! I'd give it a 6.8 out of 10 stars.
Reel Tunez Movie Review (6/19/22): "Jerry and Marge Go Large"
This is a streaming movie, but it's really a feel-good story. It's loosely based on a real life couple who figured out the odds on one particular lottery game somehow gave the player the advantage. It stars Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening.. and Rainn Wilson.
This really is a nice story and worth watching! I'd give it a 6.8 out of 10 stars.
nice people
SnoopyStyle27 November 2022
Jerry Selbee (Bryan Cranston) is good with numbers. He's worked for most of his life as the best manager at a plant but is forced to retire. He has a comfortable life with his wife Marge (Annette Bening) and his many friends in a small dying Michigan town. He doesn't know what to do next. He figures out that the lottery has a flaw. His state closes it down, but there is another version in Massachusetts.
For about an hour, this is a non-dramatic story about a bunch of nice people. There is no villain. It's slightly humorous. It's a very simple nice feel-good story. I love Marge's enthusiasm which adds to the humor. The last half hour tries to add a bit of drama by turning one character into a villain. The reporter adds a quasi-ticking clock to the story. All that is fine. At its core, this has two lovely actors playing a lovely couple with a fun bunch of characters in a nice little story.
For about an hour, this is a non-dramatic story about a bunch of nice people. There is no villain. It's slightly humorous. It's a very simple nice feel-good story. I love Marge's enthusiasm which adds to the humor. The last half hour tries to add a bit of drama by turning one character into a villain. The reporter adds a quasi-ticking clock to the story. All that is fine. At its core, this has two lovely actors playing a lovely couple with a fun bunch of characters in a nice little story.
A cute and fun true story film.
Top_Dawg_Critic18 June 2022
It's nothing revolutionary as a film, nor will it win any awards, but I'm sure you'll remember the story, as its real-life events are amazing and unique. But even at only 96 min runtime, it felt too bloated with cliched filler, and the substance stretched out to the max. It'll be the casting and performances that hold your attention, especially Cranston and Wilson. I found Bening's character to be too aloof and cliched. The filmmakers should've cut this one down to a max 60 min TV-length movie, because even with the great casting, many of the scenes felt dragged out to the point you could fast-forward, and not miss a thing. The ending credits where they show photos of the real Selbee's was a nice touch. It's a fun one time watch, and a 7/10 from me.
What a refreshing movie!
liggett-0064920 June 2022
First new movie in a long long looonnngg time that I throughly enjoyed. Great actors playing believable characters, that you liked, and were just decent human beings. No guns, no sex, no CGI showing totally improbably stunts, no cheating husbands or wives, no child actors who were paying cute and only one bad guys that could be excused because he is just young and that you hope may have learned a lesson in being a decent person. Great story based on something that really happened. If you are tired of all the crap that's being put out by Hollywood and yearn for a good old fashioned movie with a wonderful story this is for you.
Money-flavored popcorn
daisukereds18 June 2022
Sweet, funny and very well written.
I love when a movie takes an unlikely or unlooked person (one that might be taken advantage or discriminated their entire life), and shines a light onto them. One that still shows their flaws, but ultimately makes you really cheer for them. And for that, both Annette Bening and Bryan Cranston make a great leads together! They both have very good lines and are equally fleshed out.
The story itself seems to be based on real happenings. It also has a very interesting structure.. one that elevates the premise into a fleshed-out story that works well as a movie. I was beyond surprised, but the pastel colors and the joke on the trailer made it easy for me to give it a try. I would recommend that you do as well, if you'd like a competent (although slow) script, with lots of "feel-good" parts. I might even re-watch it one day.
I love when a movie takes an unlikely or unlooked person (one that might be taken advantage or discriminated their entire life), and shines a light onto them. One that still shows their flaws, but ultimately makes you really cheer for them. And for that, both Annette Bening and Bryan Cranston make a great leads together! They both have very good lines and are equally fleshed out.
The story itself seems to be based on real happenings. It also has a very interesting structure.. one that elevates the premise into a fleshed-out story that works well as a movie. I was beyond surprised, but the pastel colors and the joke on the trailer made it easy for me to give it a try. I would recommend that you do as well, if you'd like a competent (although slow) script, with lots of "feel-good" parts. I might even re-watch it one day.
Wow!! Was Not Expecting That!!
steadypaceswinsallraces17 June 2022
This movie appeared on my home screen of my Paramount app and I clicked on it without looking it up or doing any research which is unusual for me because usually before I watch any movie I want to know what other people thought of it so I don't waste my time on a stinker. But I rolled the dice with this one and watched it without looking at the reviews first or knowing anything about it at all. The payoff on this was big. Because within the hour and 36 minutes that this film is in length is one of the sweetest most human comedies I've seen in years. Well up there with some of my more memorable favorites like patch Adams or Batteries Not Included. This is one of those movies that will stick with you long after the credits have rolled. And definitely one of the best movies about the golden years that have come along in a long time maybe even since bucket list. I would highly recommend not missing this movie it is well worth the time and it's a great movie to watch if you're depressed because it will lift your spirits by the end. Because even though the story is about lottery tickets at the heart of it it's more of a movie about human relationships and have one man's act of kindness can change an entire town.
A good-natured tale of a husband and wife having some fun during their golden years
MrDHWong13 October 2022
"Jerry & Marge Go Large" is a comedy drama film based on the HuffPost article of the same name by Jason Fagone. Directed by David Frankel ("The Devil Wears Prada", "Marley & Me") and starring Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening, it tells a good-natured tale of a husband and wife having some fun during their golden years.
In Evart, Michigan, Jerry (Bryan Cranston) and Marge Selbee (Annette Bening) are an ageing married couple who believe the excitement in their marriage is dwindling. Shortly after retiring from his managerial job at a factory, Jerry uses his mathematical skills to discover a flaw in their state's lottery and decides to exploit this loophole to his advantage. Later, Jerry recruits Marge in on the scheme, and the two eventually accumulate a sizable amount of cash from the large number of lottery tickets they have purchased. With little use for the money themselves, the couple instead decide to use their winnings to restore their dilapidated town back from economic ruin.
If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you'd do with your prize money? I'm sure many people would spend it on things like a lavish holiday around the world or an expensive car or two (or three?). Personally, I'd buy myself a nice house to live in, not necessarily a great big mansion but at least somewhere I'd be happy to call a good home. One thing's for sure, there wouldn't be too many people willing to spend their entire jackpot on helping out an entire town, but in "Jerry & Marge Go Large", we see the unlikely true story of an altruistic couple who did just that.
There's not really a whole lot that can be said about a movie with such a simple concept so don't go in expecting to be blown away. This is a relatively straightforward story that uses its source material to an extent that just barely works for it to be told as a feature film. With that in mind, it still manages to deliver in terms of wholesomeness and a general sense of doing a good deed, which is more than what most other forms of entertainment can pull off these days. I must say it's quite comforting to watch a film that sends the positive message that there are still some good people out there willing to help others, as opposed to those who just want to watch the world burn. This is enhanced by the fact that Jerry and Marge are in fact real people who have actually made a difference in the world, and I like the fact their kindness is now immortalised in film form.
Of course, as is the case with any film based on true events, there are likely to be some details exaggerated for dramatic effect. It is shown during the couple's manipulating escapades that they are not the only ones with this ingenious idea. We soon learn that a pair of students from Harvard University are using similar tactics to take advantage of the lottery's broken system, which throws a spanner in the works of the couple's grand scheme. This sets off something of a battle of the generations between the Baby Boomer Selbees and the Millennial/Gen Z college students. Though something like this really did happen according to the original article, it mostly felt like it was inserted into the film simply to pad out the runtime and add an obligatory obstacle for the couple to deal with. It's pretty obvious how things will turn out in the end for both the Selbees and the students, so it all felt like a somewhat unnecessary addition to the story.
The real selling point for this film, in my view, was the likable performances of both Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening in the lead roles. Cranston obviously has prior experience playing a character known for money laundering so it seems like a no-brainer that he emulate some of that here, albeit, in a more light-hearted manner. Jerry is a man who, like Walter White, believes he has done nothing particularly exciting in his life up until now and wants to do something to fix that. We can't help but want Jerry to succeed through his unconventional yet perfectly logical reasoning, especially since he's doing it all for selfless purposes. I did get kind of lost trying to figure out some of the complex calculations he was making when trying to deduce what strategy to use, but it didn't really matter in the long run since it was only really there to enhance the film's entertainment value and nothing else.
As Jerry's supportive wife, Annette Bening does a nice enough job filling the role of the cheerful Marge. Unlike her husband, Marge is shown to be more open to taking risks, almost immediately agreeing to join in when he inadvertently reveals his master plan to her. The film plays up the fun dynamic between the two characters so well that I can't really picture any other actors portraying them. I liked watching how they grow closer doing what would otherwise be considered painstakingly dull, such as counting through all of their winnings and driving interstate to find a different place that sells the lottery tickets. It gives the sense that these two are a real couple, capable of finding enjoyment in just each other's company, especially if that company involves a clever way of making thousands of dollars worth of lottery money.
For those in need of a break from all the toxic, selfish people out there, a film like "Jerry & Marge Go Large" should help remind you that not everyone is as awful as you may think. Although it's highly unlikely the film will be winning any major awards due to some of its artistic decisions, it nonetheless provides a decent way to pass the time on a lazy afternoon with its good intentions and humour sprinkled in for good measure. With all of that said, I think the world could certainly do with a lot more people like Jerry and Marge Selbee.
I rate it 7/10.
In Evart, Michigan, Jerry (Bryan Cranston) and Marge Selbee (Annette Bening) are an ageing married couple who believe the excitement in their marriage is dwindling. Shortly after retiring from his managerial job at a factory, Jerry uses his mathematical skills to discover a flaw in their state's lottery and decides to exploit this loophole to his advantage. Later, Jerry recruits Marge in on the scheme, and the two eventually accumulate a sizable amount of cash from the large number of lottery tickets they have purchased. With little use for the money themselves, the couple instead decide to use their winnings to restore their dilapidated town back from economic ruin.
If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you'd do with your prize money? I'm sure many people would spend it on things like a lavish holiday around the world or an expensive car or two (or three?). Personally, I'd buy myself a nice house to live in, not necessarily a great big mansion but at least somewhere I'd be happy to call a good home. One thing's for sure, there wouldn't be too many people willing to spend their entire jackpot on helping out an entire town, but in "Jerry & Marge Go Large", we see the unlikely true story of an altruistic couple who did just that.
There's not really a whole lot that can be said about a movie with such a simple concept so don't go in expecting to be blown away. This is a relatively straightforward story that uses its source material to an extent that just barely works for it to be told as a feature film. With that in mind, it still manages to deliver in terms of wholesomeness and a general sense of doing a good deed, which is more than what most other forms of entertainment can pull off these days. I must say it's quite comforting to watch a film that sends the positive message that there are still some good people out there willing to help others, as opposed to those who just want to watch the world burn. This is enhanced by the fact that Jerry and Marge are in fact real people who have actually made a difference in the world, and I like the fact their kindness is now immortalised in film form.
Of course, as is the case with any film based on true events, there are likely to be some details exaggerated for dramatic effect. It is shown during the couple's manipulating escapades that they are not the only ones with this ingenious idea. We soon learn that a pair of students from Harvard University are using similar tactics to take advantage of the lottery's broken system, which throws a spanner in the works of the couple's grand scheme. This sets off something of a battle of the generations between the Baby Boomer Selbees and the Millennial/Gen Z college students. Though something like this really did happen according to the original article, it mostly felt like it was inserted into the film simply to pad out the runtime and add an obligatory obstacle for the couple to deal with. It's pretty obvious how things will turn out in the end for both the Selbees and the students, so it all felt like a somewhat unnecessary addition to the story.
The real selling point for this film, in my view, was the likable performances of both Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening in the lead roles. Cranston obviously has prior experience playing a character known for money laundering so it seems like a no-brainer that he emulate some of that here, albeit, in a more light-hearted manner. Jerry is a man who, like Walter White, believes he has done nothing particularly exciting in his life up until now and wants to do something to fix that. We can't help but want Jerry to succeed through his unconventional yet perfectly logical reasoning, especially since he's doing it all for selfless purposes. I did get kind of lost trying to figure out some of the complex calculations he was making when trying to deduce what strategy to use, but it didn't really matter in the long run since it was only really there to enhance the film's entertainment value and nothing else.
As Jerry's supportive wife, Annette Bening does a nice enough job filling the role of the cheerful Marge. Unlike her husband, Marge is shown to be more open to taking risks, almost immediately agreeing to join in when he inadvertently reveals his master plan to her. The film plays up the fun dynamic between the two characters so well that I can't really picture any other actors portraying them. I liked watching how they grow closer doing what would otherwise be considered painstakingly dull, such as counting through all of their winnings and driving interstate to find a different place that sells the lottery tickets. It gives the sense that these two are a real couple, capable of finding enjoyment in just each other's company, especially if that company involves a clever way of making thousands of dollars worth of lottery money.
For those in need of a break from all the toxic, selfish people out there, a film like "Jerry & Marge Go Large" should help remind you that not everyone is as awful as you may think. Although it's highly unlikely the film will be winning any major awards due to some of its artistic decisions, it nonetheless provides a decent way to pass the time on a lazy afternoon with its good intentions and humour sprinkled in for good measure. With all of that said, I think the world could certainly do with a lot more people like Jerry and Marge Selbee.
I rate it 7/10.
Not Enough Films Like This
redbaron-8619219 June 2022
Steller acting, heartwarming story. No gunfights, no explosions or CGI, just a good story well told. Not enough films like this these days. Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening are perfect for the roles and are superb. Loved the comic relief from Rainn Wilson and Michael McKean's understated performance is very good. Excellent all around.
For all those who said in school, "Why do I need to learn math and statistics?"
TxMike27 December 2022
This is one of the better movies among all the very marginal ones that so many studios have been putting out. The script is inventive and funny, and is "inspired by" real people and their true story.
Jerry (Cranston) has been working for the cereal company in Michigan for 40+ years, his particular line is being shut down and he is retiring. He isn't sure what he wants to do, but his real talent is understanding numbers and their significance. His wife of 46 years is Marge (Bening) and one day in a casual conversation Jerry realizes something about the "Win Fall" lottery, that a quirk of the numbers means that you are a sure winner if you buy enough tickets.
He tries it out to prove his concept, at first hiding it from Marge because he didn't want to seem foolish. Instead, when she found out, it energized her and together they found something to be passionate about.
When the state of Michigan shut down their "Win Fall" they found they were able to travel the 10 hours monthly to Massachusetts, rent a cheap motel room, buy many many tickets, in the process forming a company with many of their townspeople.
Things got more complicated when a Harvard student independently discovered the flaw in the lottery, and then a reporter with the Boston Globe found out and ran a story. And a few other complications.
But before it was all over Jerry and Marge had won over $27 Million, some of that going to revitalize things in their small community. Jerry had paid attention in math and statistics classes when he was in school.
My wife and I really enjoyed this movie, entertaining from start to finish. At home on DVD from our public library.
Jerry (Cranston) has been working for the cereal company in Michigan for 40+ years, his particular line is being shut down and he is retiring. He isn't sure what he wants to do, but his real talent is understanding numbers and their significance. His wife of 46 years is Marge (Bening) and one day in a casual conversation Jerry realizes something about the "Win Fall" lottery, that a quirk of the numbers means that you are a sure winner if you buy enough tickets.
He tries it out to prove his concept, at first hiding it from Marge because he didn't want to seem foolish. Instead, when she found out, it energized her and together they found something to be passionate about.
When the state of Michigan shut down their "Win Fall" they found they were able to travel the 10 hours monthly to Massachusetts, rent a cheap motel room, buy many many tickets, in the process forming a company with many of their townspeople.
Things got more complicated when a Harvard student independently discovered the flaw in the lottery, and then a reporter with the Boston Globe found out and ran a story. And a few other complications.
But before it was all over Jerry and Marge had won over $27 Million, some of that going to revitalize things in their small community. Jerry had paid attention in math and statistics classes when he was in school.
My wife and I really enjoyed this movie, entertaining from start to finish. At home on DVD from our public library.
Cute based on true life movie
Nightmarelogic20 June 2022
Look this is a cute movie. If that isn't your thing then so be it. It is a simple idea based on real life about a retired couple that used a flaw in a states lotto game to win millions for themselves and the small town they lived in. If you are looking for Breaking Bad action this won't be the movie for you. If anything it is a Disneyeque movie about a town coming together to beat the odds. Fun movie.
Way too fluffy and cute, but sort of fun to watch once.
silverpinkcity20 June 2022
I was really looking forward to this movie! And then? I was a little disappointed. I was hoping for a fun sneaky sort of "edgy" vibe, which it had...at first. But only in the very beginning. Then it devolved into a sort of mushy cute warm fuzzy family-first Hallmark channel vibe.
Everything seemed a little "candy-coated," with the whole bright colors plastic people sort of feel.
Every character was a worn-out trope of a cliche: The older recently retired guy who feels sort of useless and doesn't know what to do with himself. The guy's wife who wants to feel young again and have that "spark" in her marriage that seems to have gone bye-bye. The son who laments the fact his dad was always too "into numbers and math" to toss a football around. The goofy Midwest teller girl at the bank who (ironically) claims she doesn't like math. The wise-guy college kid who puts down old people. Etc...
It was too "fake" feeling to allow myself to become totally engaged. And the ending? Wow. Total Hallmark stuff.
Anyway...I really don't want to sound so negative (too late, I know)! On the plus side, the movie was cute and watchable...once. I probably won't watch it again. I did get some chuckles...mostly in the first half of the movie.
The actors all did a decent job with what they were given to work with. I have no complaint about the actors. It's (as usual) the writers' fault. And maybe the directors. Stop making everything so fake, people! Let's add some edginess for interest...(remember Breaking Bad? Remember why it worked so well)?
Why did the wife just smile like an imbecile throughout the entire movie? Why was she so one-dimensional? Maybe the couple could have experienced some marital difficulties, to add interest. Maybe the wife could have had some hobbies or something so she seemed like a real person? (Oh dear. Back to being negative).
Anyway, watch it...enjoy it for what it's worth. A cute sappy warm sentimental movie, and nothing more.
Everything seemed a little "candy-coated," with the whole bright colors plastic people sort of feel.
Every character was a worn-out trope of a cliche: The older recently retired guy who feels sort of useless and doesn't know what to do with himself. The guy's wife who wants to feel young again and have that "spark" in her marriage that seems to have gone bye-bye. The son who laments the fact his dad was always too "into numbers and math" to toss a football around. The goofy Midwest teller girl at the bank who (ironically) claims she doesn't like math. The wise-guy college kid who puts down old people. Etc...
It was too "fake" feeling to allow myself to become totally engaged. And the ending? Wow. Total Hallmark stuff.
Anyway...I really don't want to sound so negative (too late, I know)! On the plus side, the movie was cute and watchable...once. I probably won't watch it again. I did get some chuckles...mostly in the first half of the movie.
The actors all did a decent job with what they were given to work with. I have no complaint about the actors. It's (as usual) the writers' fault. And maybe the directors. Stop making everything so fake, people! Let's add some edginess for interest...(remember Breaking Bad? Remember why it worked so well)?
Why did the wife just smile like an imbecile throughout the entire movie? Why was she so one-dimensional? Maybe the couple could have experienced some marital difficulties, to add interest. Maybe the wife could have had some hobbies or something so she seemed like a real person? (Oh dear. Back to being negative).
Anyway, watch it...enjoy it for what it's worth. A cute sappy warm sentimental movie, and nothing more.
good old-fashioned heartwarming story
tallyho-3481022 November 2022
Ten stars! I don't think I've EVER given a movie 10 stars before, but Jerry & Marge Go Large is exactly the type of movie Hollywood ought to make more of. Why? Because it's relatable! I found myself relating to these characters so closely, their lives, their families, and their town. And not just because I live in Michigan myself (and have visited Evart, MI often). This is a family-friendly flick, filled with good decent everyday folks trying to do good in the world, and have fun doing it. There are no car chases, no explosions, no alien landings, no reality TV stars, no CGI special-effects, no extremist agendas, no potty-mouth profanity....in other words NONE of the attention-getting cheap gimmicks that Hollywood loves to force down our throats nowadays. Zip, zero, zilch! Instead you have a movie that gets by on the strength of its STORY: heartwarming moments of tenderness, of triumph, where a cast of mainly senior citizens or "mature adults" (another thing the movie industry rarely shows!) all pull together to bring us a film that's an inspiration to us all. I could literally watch 10 more movies just like this, and be thrilled at every one. Hollywood studios, are you listening? Jerry & Marge Go Large is a movie that tugs at the heartstings, brought a tear to my eye it did, and I would absolutely give it 20 stars if I could. WELL DONE!!!
Undemanding but still rewarding
masonsaul21 February 2024
Jerry & Marge Go Large is such a lovely film that's so easygoing the already brief run time flies by and you won't even notice it's already in the third act. It did take the most generic approach to telling a remarkable true story but by focusing on all the good they did, no trope can derail it no matter how obvious and telegraphed they are.
Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening essentially hold this thing together. One of the smartest decisions the film makes is to avoid any forced conflict between them. They're just so supportive of each other throughout the entire film and it makes a nice change of pace from some of their heavier, recent projects.
David Frankel's direction is keen to coast on the generic nature of it all for the most part however, there are some nice little flourishes that don't go unnoticed. Jake Monaco's score and the soundtrack really help the film achieve its easy going nature with music that's unobtrusively twee and a steady selection of feel good songs.
Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening essentially hold this thing together. One of the smartest decisions the film makes is to avoid any forced conflict between them. They're just so supportive of each other throughout the entire film and it makes a nice change of pace from some of their heavier, recent projects.
David Frankel's direction is keen to coast on the generic nature of it all for the most part however, there are some nice little flourishes that don't go unnoticed. Jake Monaco's score and the soundtrack really help the film achieve its easy going nature with music that's unobtrusively twee and a steady selection of feel good songs.
Better movie
chisungajailos17 June 2022
7.5 - wholesome content
hsmtour20 June 2022
A great family movie night find. Has a set of A-list actors that rely portray the atmosphere of small town USA scenario. Interesting story with an engaging plot line. Not the most exciting movie but definitely a great feel good movie to watch.
Who would give this a low review?
caseypthompson14 September 2022
There aren't many 'feel good' movies out there these days. Everything is drama, horror or action with ridiculous amounts of CGI. Not many movies being made with good plots with interesting characters and something that leaves you smiling.
It's based off a true story which makes it all the more lovable. I even think the husband was probably Autistic as it hinted to his obsession and fascination with numbers to the point he often couldn't see beyond the constant calculations in his head...as well as his struggle with socializing with others. I say this as someone who's Autistic myself.
The acting was good, the emotional scenes were well done and it made you fall in love with the idea of community and family in a modern world during a time that our society is currently breaking in shambles...unable to see the good in one another anymore.
Makes me miss the sense of friendship and comradeship and togetherness in both big and small towns. We've forgotten what it's like to give entirely with selflessness. That's the heart of this movie...it reminds us of a time when people seemed more caring and giving.
This movie is entirely underrated.
I say go for it...and just enjoy the sweetness, the fun and the heart of the movie.
It's based off a true story which makes it all the more lovable. I even think the husband was probably Autistic as it hinted to his obsession and fascination with numbers to the point he often couldn't see beyond the constant calculations in his head...as well as his struggle with socializing with others. I say this as someone who's Autistic myself.
The acting was good, the emotional scenes were well done and it made you fall in love with the idea of community and family in a modern world during a time that our society is currently breaking in shambles...unable to see the good in one another anymore.
Makes me miss the sense of friendship and comradeship and togetherness in both big and small towns. We've forgotten what it's like to give entirely with selflessness. That's the heart of this movie...it reminds us of a time when people seemed more caring and giving.
This movie is entirely underrated.
I say go for it...and just enjoy the sweetness, the fun and the heart of the movie.
Good Comedy-Drama
gwnightscream24 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening star in this 2022 comedy-drama based on a true story.
Cranston (Breaking Bad) plays Jerry, a mild-mannered, retiree who discovers a flaw in the lottery.
He and his wife, Marge (Bening) use his math skills to purchase lots of tickets and start winning, but use the profits to help their small town and friends. Rainn Wilson (The Office) and Michael McKean are also featured. I enjoyed this, Cranston and Bening are great in this and together.
Cranston (Breaking Bad) plays Jerry, a mild-mannered, retiree who discovers a flaw in the lottery.
He and his wife, Marge (Bening) use his math skills to purchase lots of tickets and start winning, but use the profits to help their small town and friends. Rainn Wilson (The Office) and Michael McKean are also featured. I enjoyed this, Cranston and Bening are great in this and together.
Cute little heartwarming story
balthesaur19 June 2022
'Jerry and Marge Go Large' is the retelling of real life story of lottery winners, Jerry and Marge Selbee (played by Bryan Cranston and Annette Benning, respectively) who find a loophole in a lottery game that guarantees winning if they buy enough tickets. Together, they start a small investment firm and gather enough capital to win nearly $27Million, all while helping their town return to its glory days.
Very well done film! Acting, script, and flow are all top notch as one would expect from the big names in this film. The characters are well developed and the entire piece is focused on family and community over greed and corruption; a pleasant turn from similar get-rich-quick type movies.
Definitely worth a watch!
Very well done film! Acting, script, and flow are all top notch as one would expect from the big names in this film. The characters are well developed and the entire piece is focused on family and community over greed and corruption; a pleasant turn from similar get-rich-quick type movies.
Definitely worth a watch!
Tricked
dopeshat-3501619 June 2022
I was drawn in by the cast but about 10 minutes in I had to look again to make sure this wasn't a Lifetime movie. I am still not convinced it wasn't. I did watch the whole movie and regardless it still had a good cast and I suppose it is fine every once in a while to watch a "Lifetime" movie to make you feel optimistic about people.
A break from breaking bad
hobogirl-3960318 June 2022
Great movie for us older folks. The fact that it's loosely based on what happened is the reason I wanted to see this movie. Most of the movies today have so many CGI scenes to make up for a lack of a story line.
Well worth a watch 👍🏽👍🏽
Well worth a watch 👍🏽👍🏽
great "airplane movie"
mrpicky19 June 2022
Good Story but Cliche Writing and Overdone Acting
m205017 September 2023
The real life story is a good one. However, there's a lot of amateur and sometimes awkward back and forth dialogue throughout the entire movie. It's such a generic and cliche script that it was tempting to ditch the movie at several points throughout it. It's as if they gave the script writing to a new writer that had never written dialogue and had zero knowledge of how an elderly couple would interact.
Bryan Cranston is one of my favorite actors and this is a movie he will want to forget he ever did. His attempt to act like an awkward elderly man that is a math genius is so overdone it's nauseating. The poorly written script only exasperated this.
His wife in the movie played by Annette Benning is also nauseatingly overdone of being a too fun loving retired person.
Finally, the final nail in the coffin was Rainn Wilson who plays a goofy lottery selling store clerk. The writer tried to throw some 'Dwight Schrute' characteristics into his character and it was very cheesy. There was some dialogue where he was talking about procreating and it was a poor attempt to bring a little Dwight into the character that just seemed weird.
Only recommend this to people you don't like.
Bryan Cranston is one of my favorite actors and this is a movie he will want to forget he ever did. His attempt to act like an awkward elderly man that is a math genius is so overdone it's nauseating. The poorly written script only exasperated this.
His wife in the movie played by Annette Benning is also nauseatingly overdone of being a too fun loving retired person.
Finally, the final nail in the coffin was Rainn Wilson who plays a goofy lottery selling store clerk. The writer tried to throw some 'Dwight Schrute' characteristics into his character and it was very cheesy. There was some dialogue where he was talking about procreating and it was a poor attempt to bring a little Dwight into the character that just seemed weird.
Only recommend this to people you don't like.
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