I was glued to the movie for the first 1h20m. Didn't realise it had been that ,one I was watching this amazing movie till that point. Then the next 25 odd mins. Were the worst storyline I've ever witnessed-completely messed up the movie in a huge way-assassins unable to do their job while some con artist and her lover are suddenly amazing action heroes dealing with villains in disdain--pathetic-twist at end doesn't help recover the really bad 25 mins before the end.
4,531 Reviews
It pissed me off!
staciarose2020 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
People who con the elderly are disgusting, and the entire time I felt such hatred for Marla. Right up until the end I thought she was gonna get away, but justice was served. I have never wanted a character to be killed off more than this one.
a question of reality
SnoopyStyle28 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Marla Grayson (Rosamund Pike) uses the legal system to get assigned as the guardian to vulnerable and unsuspecting seniors. She claims to care but in reality, it's a legally sanctioned scam to kidnap these perfectly functioning seniors and milk their net worth. Marla and her lover henchwoman Fran (Eiza González) have their sights set on their next victim, Jennifer Peterson (Dianne Wiest). At first, she seems to be a cherry prospect and then, her Russian mob boss son (Peter Dinklage) shows up.
This movie takes an outlier premise and pushes it slightly into unreal territories. I'm willing to buy the general premise of elder abuse but there are problematic overreach. It could be solved if the judge had been bribed and the seniors have no family to fight for them. I can't see any judge willing to keep these seniors from their immediate family. These issues make the main premise problematic. The Russians are also problematic for a different reason. They are generally stupid and aren't doing reasonable things.
I love Dean Ericson going to Marla's office which is probably the best scene in the movie but it's really stupid to not at least forge Jennifer's signature on a retainer agreement. Apparently, he's fine with being a mob lawyer threatening to kill people but forgery is too illegal for him. The first target for the mob is obviously the doctor. They have to force her to recant her diagnosis before faking her suicide. In fact, they should force her to out her fraud with Marla as the reason for her suicide. Instead, they decide to shoot up an old folks' home and the security guard shoots first. There is no reason to go nuclear right off the bat and alert the feds which is the last thing they want. Also, why would the security guard shoot first and am I to believe that the guy gets taken down by a bag over his head? All of this is a little silly in a bad way. Later, Fran should be dead. There's no point not killing her off. A gas explosion would not suggest suicide when her face is beaten to a pulp. It's a murder either way and they may as well truly murder her. Despite all the nagging problems, I like two villains facing off against each other. I like Pike and Dinklage. There is a fun tension with them for the most part. More could be done with Wiest. She could take over if she's allowed to. At least, she gets to choke a B out. This movie would work a lot better if the writer thinks harder and works over the script.
This movie takes an outlier premise and pushes it slightly into unreal territories. I'm willing to buy the general premise of elder abuse but there are problematic overreach. It could be solved if the judge had been bribed and the seniors have no family to fight for them. I can't see any judge willing to keep these seniors from their immediate family. These issues make the main premise problematic. The Russians are also problematic for a different reason. They are generally stupid and aren't doing reasonable things.
I love Dean Ericson going to Marla's office which is probably the best scene in the movie but it's really stupid to not at least forge Jennifer's signature on a retainer agreement. Apparently, he's fine with being a mob lawyer threatening to kill people but forgery is too illegal for him. The first target for the mob is obviously the doctor. They have to force her to recant her diagnosis before faking her suicide. In fact, they should force her to out her fraud with Marla as the reason for her suicide. Instead, they decide to shoot up an old folks' home and the security guard shoots first. There is no reason to go nuclear right off the bat and alert the feds which is the last thing they want. Also, why would the security guard shoot first and am I to believe that the guy gets taken down by a bag over his head? All of this is a little silly in a bad way. Later, Fran should be dead. There's no point not killing her off. A gas explosion would not suggest suicide when her face is beaten to a pulp. It's a murder either way and they may as well truly murder her. Despite all the nagging problems, I like two villains facing off against each other. I like Pike and Dinklage. There is a fun tension with them for the most part. More could be done with Wiest. She could take over if she's allowed to. At least, she gets to choke a B out. This movie would work a lot better if the writer thinks harder and works over the script.
First hour - 9/10... Second hour - 3/10...
tccandler20 February 2021
The first hour of this film is so good that it manages to carry the ridiculous implausibility of its second hour to a satisfactory conclusion. If it had not tried to become "Mission: Impossible" and stayed confined to the small-time grift of elderly care abuse, this would have been one of the best films of the year. However, like the characters in the film, the writer / director gets greedy, and pays for it.
Wanted to care about this a lot more
TheLittleSongbird5 August 2021
Watched 'I Care a Lot' some weeks back with a lot of anticipation. Really like Peter Dinklage and Rosamund Pike as actors, likewise with Dianne Wiest. All three have been fantastic in other things. The premise was a great and interesting one, if very nasty and one that would make anybody unsettled. The film is also in a genre that has always appealed to me and looked great from the advertising. Even the overwhelming negative ratings here didn't dissuade me from seeing 'I Care a Lot'.
After watching, 'I Care a Lot' is to me not near as bad as has been said here and not deserving of so many of the lowest rating votes that indicates no redeeming qualities, which actually goes against what most of those that have given it that rating have said. Having said that, 'I Care a Lot' did disappoint me and certainly wanted to like so much more. It is a film of two halves, one being great and the other being pretty bad. Uneven is a good word to sum it up.
'I Care a Lot' does have a number of good things. The best thing about it is Pike, on killer form as a character that manages to be even more amoral than her Amy Dunne in 'Gone Girl'. She really did make me feel uneasy, just as her role required. Dinklage has never been more sinister than here and his chemistry with Pike in the second half really chills. Eiza Gonzalez has allure and intensity in her acting, her chemistry with Pike sizzles and personally don't think what it represented was laid on too thick. Was also impressed by the always great Wiest, who is moving as the one rootable character in the film.
The visuals are stylish and have an audacious thriller action look, almost looking at times like it was homaging spaghetti westerns. The music is very atmosphere-filled and pulsates with energy without being too over the top. The script in the first half is taut, darkly comic/satiric at times and often chilling, effectively making one feel uncomfortable at the nastiness that goes on. It even has a voice over eerily reminiscent of 'Gone Girl's' "Cool Girl" monologue.
First half is truly great. Fast-paced, intriguing, tense and appropriately makes one feel uncomfortable and scared, this kind of deceit does happen and the film does very well at showing the full horrors of it and how easily it can be fallen for. The direction in the first half was clever stylistically and had the right amount of tension.
Sadly, 'I Care a Lot's' second half is nowhere near as good and actually felt like a different and vastly inferior film. It was mostly pretty bad, and at its worst it was close to awful and saved only by the acting, the chemistry between Pike and Dinklage, their performances and the visuals. The tautness is lost and the intrigue and tension go too and the trashiness goes well overboard. Evident in some truly implausible and very strange moments , and it feels over-stretched (this could have been twenty minutes shorter easily) and downright silly. The murder attempt especially has to be seen to be believed and not in a good way.
Also overkill was the bumbling ineptitude of the mafia, while the dialogue loses its flow and becomes cheesy and self-indulgent. The direction also suffers in quality and became dumb done for the paycheck action thriller-like. While the very end satisfies, what happens comes straight out of nowhere and is rushed through.
Concluding, started off so well but the second half was a real let-down. 6/10.
After watching, 'I Care a Lot' is to me not near as bad as has been said here and not deserving of so many of the lowest rating votes that indicates no redeeming qualities, which actually goes against what most of those that have given it that rating have said. Having said that, 'I Care a Lot' did disappoint me and certainly wanted to like so much more. It is a film of two halves, one being great and the other being pretty bad. Uneven is a good word to sum it up.
'I Care a Lot' does have a number of good things. The best thing about it is Pike, on killer form as a character that manages to be even more amoral than her Amy Dunne in 'Gone Girl'. She really did make me feel uneasy, just as her role required. Dinklage has never been more sinister than here and his chemistry with Pike in the second half really chills. Eiza Gonzalez has allure and intensity in her acting, her chemistry with Pike sizzles and personally don't think what it represented was laid on too thick. Was also impressed by the always great Wiest, who is moving as the one rootable character in the film.
The visuals are stylish and have an audacious thriller action look, almost looking at times like it was homaging spaghetti westerns. The music is very atmosphere-filled and pulsates with energy without being too over the top. The script in the first half is taut, darkly comic/satiric at times and often chilling, effectively making one feel uncomfortable at the nastiness that goes on. It even has a voice over eerily reminiscent of 'Gone Girl's' "Cool Girl" monologue.
First half is truly great. Fast-paced, intriguing, tense and appropriately makes one feel uncomfortable and scared, this kind of deceit does happen and the film does very well at showing the full horrors of it and how easily it can be fallen for. The direction in the first half was clever stylistically and had the right amount of tension.
Sadly, 'I Care a Lot's' second half is nowhere near as good and actually felt like a different and vastly inferior film. It was mostly pretty bad, and at its worst it was close to awful and saved only by the acting, the chemistry between Pike and Dinklage, their performances and the visuals. The tautness is lost and the intrigue and tension go too and the trashiness goes well overboard. Evident in some truly implausible and very strange moments , and it feels over-stretched (this could have been twenty minutes shorter easily) and downright silly. The murder attempt especially has to be seen to be believed and not in a good way.
Also overkill was the bumbling ineptitude of the mafia, while the dialogue loses its flow and becomes cheesy and self-indulgent. The direction also suffers in quality and became dumb done for the paycheck action thriller-like. While the very end satisfies, what happens comes straight out of nowhere and is rushed through.
Concluding, started off so well but the second half was a real let-down. 6/10.
hot mess straight outta the land of ridiculous fiction
CT-7821 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
What a waste of time.
There are maybe two positives to take away from this:
1. there are serious abuses of the elderly, some involving legal guardianship - which I suppose this idiotic dumpster-fire of a movie brings to light in some roundabout, albeit minimal capacity. 2. the most unlikable feces-of-a-character gets blasted in her blackened heart at the end by someone she victimized. So at least the villain dies in the end, but there isn't really anyone to "root for".
1. there are serious abuses of the elderly, some involving legal guardianship - which I suppose this idiotic dumpster-fire of a movie brings to light in some roundabout, albeit minimal capacity. 2. the most unlikable feces-of-a-character gets blasted in her blackened heart at the end by someone she victimized. So at least the villain dies in the end, but there isn't really anyone to "root for".
All these 1 star reviews have seriously missed the point
alecmcgrath198421 February 2021
Firstly it is hard to explain this film without giving anything away so this will be a spoiler free review that may seen a bit vague.
Firstly to respond to these 1 Star reviews saying that you are supposed root for the awful woman who is ripping off old people..... Well you aren't.
This film is actually very clever. It has no good guys, accept for the poor guy right at the beginning who just wants to see his Mother. It's a refreshing concept, who do you root for when both main characters are pretty evil? Fact is neither. You just watch the mayhem unfold and see where it goes. Most Cinema is very formulaic most of the time. Good guy starts strong, middle of film gets weakened and then comes back to save the day. This film is a refreshing twist on the somewhat stagnant at times method of storytelling in films. Throughout the film you actually want the evil guardian woman to lose.... badly. y You even kind of side with Peter Dinklage's gangster character even though he is not a very nice man either. But that's what's clever, there are no superheroes, no good guys, no one that you really want to win. In fact you want nearly everyone to lose, which is odd but a new and different viewing experience.
I have to admit that throughout the second part of the story I really did think I was going to dislike this film. Especially if it had the ending it seemed to be heading towards. Which it kind of did , however...... the last couple of minutes made this film a bloody good film and a genius concept. Without spoiling anything this has one of the best examples poetic justice I have ever seen in a movie. I can't say more without spoiling it but the absolute end of this film not only redeemed the movie it made the whole thing make sense.
Another point I feel I should make is this film brings to light the easily abused court appointed guardian system that actually exists the US. Yes in certain places in America guardians can stop family members from seeing those under their care. It's wrong, unjust and this film does a good job of showing the dark side of such an ill thought out system.
Now accept for the story the good points of this film are it has great acting. Peter is cracking as he always is and Rosamund Pike plays her character well. I rally did hate her throughout this film which shows how good an actress she is. The film is shot well with some very clever cinematography.
The main Negatives for me are it does get a little rushed in the second part. It could have done with another 15 minutes setting up the finale and certain points don't make sense. Also it is listed as a comedy which it really isn't. Go in expecting a comedy and you'll be majorly disappointed. It's more a reflection on society and the greed that we have nowadays. I feel this comedy tag has had a major negative impact on the film which is a bit silly. It is most definitely not a comedy.
Basically my advice is watch the film. You won't like many of the characters. They're pretty much bottom feeders the lot of them, except for maybe one of two. But that's not the point of this film. Watch it, enjoy the storytelling even if you don't like what's happening and see if like me, you have a massive smile on your face right at the end.
Firstly to respond to these 1 Star reviews saying that you are supposed root for the awful woman who is ripping off old people..... Well you aren't.
This film is actually very clever. It has no good guys, accept for the poor guy right at the beginning who just wants to see his Mother. It's a refreshing concept, who do you root for when both main characters are pretty evil? Fact is neither. You just watch the mayhem unfold and see where it goes. Most Cinema is very formulaic most of the time. Good guy starts strong, middle of film gets weakened and then comes back to save the day. This film is a refreshing twist on the somewhat stagnant at times method of storytelling in films. Throughout the film you actually want the evil guardian woman to lose.... badly. y You even kind of side with Peter Dinklage's gangster character even though he is not a very nice man either. But that's what's clever, there are no superheroes, no good guys, no one that you really want to win. In fact you want nearly everyone to lose, which is odd but a new and different viewing experience.
I have to admit that throughout the second part of the story I really did think I was going to dislike this film. Especially if it had the ending it seemed to be heading towards. Which it kind of did , however...... the last couple of minutes made this film a bloody good film and a genius concept. Without spoiling anything this has one of the best examples poetic justice I have ever seen in a movie. I can't say more without spoiling it but the absolute end of this film not only redeemed the movie it made the whole thing make sense.
Another point I feel I should make is this film brings to light the easily abused court appointed guardian system that actually exists the US. Yes in certain places in America guardians can stop family members from seeing those under their care. It's wrong, unjust and this film does a good job of showing the dark side of such an ill thought out system.
Now accept for the story the good points of this film are it has great acting. Peter is cracking as he always is and Rosamund Pike plays her character well. I rally did hate her throughout this film which shows how good an actress she is. The film is shot well with some very clever cinematography.
The main Negatives for me are it does get a little rushed in the second part. It could have done with another 15 minutes setting up the finale and certain points don't make sense. Also it is listed as a comedy which it really isn't. Go in expecting a comedy and you'll be majorly disappointed. It's more a reflection on society and the greed that we have nowadays. I feel this comedy tag has had a major negative impact on the film which is a bit silly. It is most definitely not a comedy.
Basically my advice is watch the film. You won't like many of the characters. They're pretty much bottom feeders the lot of them, except for maybe one of two. But that's not the point of this film. Watch it, enjoy the storytelling even if you don't like what's happening and see if like me, you have a massive smile on your face right at the end.
I Care Somewhat
cardsrock13 March 2021
Rosamund Pike's gleefully ruthless performance makes this film watchable. Peter Dinklage is excellent in his role as well and is a good foil for Pike's character. This film is pretty much always moving and entertaining, it just runs into some real lack of believability near the end. The entire premise is a bit shaky to believe, but the ending really goes overboard. It's also pretty hard to root for anyone in this movie because all the characters are so horrible and not super fleshed out. This film is worth a watch for the performances, just don't expect to feel hopeful about humanity after.
Don't understand the poor reviews. Clever, entertaining and fabulous performances!
beccabentley4 August 2021
I really don't understand all the one star reviews. I have seen terrible movies and this wasn't one of them! I used to wonder why movie studios were forever churning out remakes and the same tired old plots but now I know why. Clearly they know that people are only happy with the same old predictable nonsense. Rosamund Pike is fabulous in this. Peter Dinklage did a great job, too. I loved how they made both main characters villains for a change. I hated her character with a vengeance and felt sickened by what she was doing. But that is what made the film so fascinating. It was cleverly done because there were times I feel a teeny bit of empathy for both antagonists. I did start to wonder if the film would fail to completely condemn Marla's actions, especially as at one point it seemed to revel in the "girl power" of Marla and her sidekick. The film really gets you thinking about how cunning, manipulative people can abuse the system. It really opened my eyes to what corruption and injustice can go on if you are able to use the law to your advantage. Yes, there were flaws and aspects that were unbelievable (especially her escape from the car and the overly idiotic henchmen) but I was riveted throughout. I've been so bored with so many films recently but I was pleasantly surprised with this one. I'd say ignore the bad reviews and give this a try. It's worth watching purely for Rosamund's performance.
The ending saved this film.
R-averiss4 August 2021
First let me acknowledge the acting of Rosamund Pike as Marla Grayson. I have never hated a character as much as Marla Grayson. Up there with Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito in Goodfellas.
It is only worth watching for Rosamund Pike alone.
It is only worth watching for Rosamund Pike alone.
Meh
jjerickson-2901527 February 2021
These monsters exist ...
vittarco-114-66829128 February 2021
May be the plot is not perfect, may be the story is a bit over the real possibilities of humans, may be Pike is acting more like in her old Bond movie than in a real story about horrible people.
But it makes you thinking that these monsters exist in the rea life, and this is a lot...
Don't take it too seriously!
tahir-ismail11 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
For goodness sake, don't take it too seriously watching this movie ... after all it is just a movie, a fantasy, it can be made anyhow you want to make it no matter how unrealistic ... after all, it is a comedy of sort. I noticed bad reviews from viewers probably because they watched it too seriously.
My reaction to this movie? When I sat down to watch it, yes, I thought this is going to be interesting, I carried on and beginning to like it. Towards three quarters of the movie, hang on, I thought, they are making a hero of the crook/villain ... oh no! ... I was beginning to hate that ... she survived! Nope, I don't think I am going to like the ending, I thought.
And then, the ending came ... POW! ... I love it, I love it, I love it ... it came exactly as I would like it to end ... I am just a sucker for good endings!
Well that was different.
Sleepin_Dragon23 February 2021
It's worth a look, simply for the acting of both Rosamund Pike and Peter Dinklage.
This going to be a film that you will love or hate. As a Brit, I am absolutely horrified by some of the events in this film, and I know that they embellish, but I'm told by American friends that such circumstances can arise, absolutely horrifying, especially as there are people out to profit.
The first twenty minutes will make you angry, and will make you feel like you want to switch off, but stick with it, as it's worth the ride, you will want to question a lot of what you see.
I have never wanted a central character to receive a nasty fate so much, Pike really did an amazing job in the lead role.
Different, irritating, but I enjoyed it. 7/10.
This going to be a film that you will love or hate. As a Brit, I am absolutely horrified by some of the events in this film, and I know that they embellish, but I'm told by American friends that such circumstances can arise, absolutely horrifying, especially as there are people out to profit.
The first twenty minutes will make you angry, and will make you feel like you want to switch off, but stick with it, as it's worth the ride, you will want to question a lot of what you see.
I have never wanted a central character to receive a nasty fate so much, Pike really did an amazing job in the lead role.
Different, irritating, but I enjoyed it. 7/10.
This movie is pretty good, great acting
alinashcheg6 March 2021
I liked the movie and the plot does not actually have that many holes as other reviews complained (seems like those reviewers did not pay attention to the details). There is something off with all 1-star and 2-star reviews - it's not even close to being a bad movie. If you like good acting, dark humor, and stories about criminal minds - give this movie a chance. 7.5/10
Something strange going on here
kay-4530021 February 2021
This film seems to be sabotaged on here. Ok, it's not the most amazing or brilliant film but no way is it a 1 out of 10 compared to some of the real rubbish that gets good reviews here. Too many 1 out of 10 reviews here to ring true. Watch it and judge yourself in this instance.
Fun nonetheless.
avik-6476221 February 2021
Watched it last night and just came back to it's IMDB to check out other similar movies. Happened to chance on the reviews and there were so many negative ones that I felt compelled to write a good one. It's a fun, gripping, stylish comedy-thriller. It doesn't take itself too seriously, sure and that's may be why the 'movie police' are raging against it. Read a review which said Pike's character is unscrupulous and doesn't make you want to root for her. SO? That's an excellent explanation really as to how well really she has played her role. Her character is repulsive and she has done a brilliant job convincing the audience of the same. Few places the movie is over the top and illogical, sure, but it's an entertainer, not a biography or a documentary. You don't expect James Bond or Jason Bourne movies to be logical either. Again, definitely a fun watch and I lucked out finding this one. Recommended.
I guess people now only like cookie cutter movies.
kathryn-beach7 August 2021
This movie was so good. Don't listen to the naysayers. It's unique, quirky, fun. Even the title is great...
If you like your normal, run of the mill, 'happy', nicely wrapped and commercially acted movies. This is not for you. (Marvel, Titanic, rom coms?)
If you like, offbeat, actors who aren't the 'top billed', different scripts, beats to its own drum, doesn't follow mainstream plots and tightly packaged for sale.
This is for you. Very good!
If you like your normal, run of the mill, 'happy', nicely wrapped and commercially acted movies. This is not for you. (Marvel, Titanic, rom coms?)
If you like, offbeat, actors who aren't the 'top billed', different scripts, beats to its own drum, doesn't follow mainstream plots and tightly packaged for sale.
This is for you. Very good!
You don't have to care to watch it! But please do.
jorgequeiros-pt24 February 2021
Nothing special, but it's still a great thriller. Don't be fooled by the bad reviews, which only exist because someone didn't notice the satirical tone of the film. Also, the main character is a woman. If she were a man, there wouldn't be so much hate.
Now, do not create high expectations. The film has a dark comic side, and has a false epiphany in its message. The characters are bad people in many ways. But that is what makes this film interesting. You don't root for anyone in particular, you just watch the chaos and the story unfold until the last minute. Without saying much about the plot, the film makes you think about how far you are willing to go to be rich, and how easy it is to take advantage of older people while abiding by the laws.
Rosamund Pike is great as the cold and calculating main character, and makes you both appreciate and hate her. Peter Dinklage brings the tension, stillness, agitation and frustration that the viewer expects. Solid performances from both.
Could the film be more realistic? Yes. But it would lose what sets it apart from the most popular tense dramas and non-stop action features. It's a yes from me.
Now, do not create high expectations. The film has a dark comic side, and has a false epiphany in its message. The characters are bad people in many ways. But that is what makes this film interesting. You don't root for anyone in particular, you just watch the chaos and the story unfold until the last minute. Without saying much about the plot, the film makes you think about how far you are willing to go to be rich, and how easy it is to take advantage of older people while abiding by the laws.
Rosamund Pike is great as the cold and calculating main character, and makes you both appreciate and hate her. Peter Dinklage brings the tension, stillness, agitation and frustration that the viewer expects. Solid performances from both.
Could the film be more realistic? Yes. But it would lose what sets it apart from the most popular tense dramas and non-stop action features. It's a yes from me.
Disappointing and unrealistic
Luvya01171 March 2021
This started of great and then half way through just took a turn for the worst. There was so much to go off of with the elder woman and her background, to just let that go and pretend that the guardian is somewhat above every situation like some amazing spy with the ability to supersede all odds. Palease. This could have been great but instead is a disappointing disaster
A GOOD FILM DOESN'T HAVE TO BE MORALLY CORRECT
cucum27 February 2021
This is not a perfect movie, that's a fact. But most of this comments are just made for angry people who hate the cruelty in the main character. Let me tell you something: THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THIS FILM.
Pike's character may be plain and the story may turn weird and improbable in the middle of the movie, I will not say otherwise. But it is also an exciting and a "new perspective" film. Marla Grayson is a badass and that's the enjoyable part of all.
My real rating is 7, but I gave it an 8 just for all of those people who gave it a 1 arguing that they are mad because of the morally wrong decisions of the main characters. I mean... Really?
Pike's character may be plain and the story may turn weird and improbable in the middle of the movie, I will not say otherwise. But it is also an exciting and a "new perspective" film. Marla Grayson is a badass and that's the enjoyable part of all.
My real rating is 7, but I gave it an 8 just for all of those people who gave it a 1 arguing that they are mad because of the morally wrong decisions of the main characters. I mean... Really?
No I Didn't
evanston_dad11 March 2021
The title of "I Care a Lot" is meant to be ironic, since the woman it's about, a professional ward and guardian for the elderly played by Rosamund Pike, uses her business as a way to bilk vulnerable people out of their assets. But it ended up being doubly ironic, because it also applies to the feelings I had watching it. Everyone in this movie is so vile that I didn't care about any of them.
Except for Dianne Wiest. I did care about her. She plays the mom of a Russian mafia boss and the latest victim of Pike's scheme, the one who sets the plot of the film in motion. Wiest is a sweetheart, and she was no nice to Kevin Bacon in "Footloose," and she has a brief moment where she puts Pike's character in a bad-ass chokehold, which is what I wanted to do to her, that she had me really rooting for her. I also found myself rooting for her son, the mafia boss, played by Peter Dinklage, and that tells you something right there about how morally vacuous this movie is. The Russian Mafia boss is the good guy. Let me repeat that. The Russian Mafia boss is the good guy. Ok, so he cares more about reclaiming some stolen diamonds than he does his stolen mom, but still. The terrible things he's probably done all happen offscreen, so we can pretend that he's basically nice.
Pike clearly has a ball with this role, and it's a huge testament to her abilities as an actress that she could make this movie even as watchable as it is. But I don't know what I was supposed to take away from this film. I felt extremely anxious and shaky watching it. I just wanted really bad things to happen to her and her partner because they're so deplorable. I wanted them to be tortured and killed, because people as awful as they are deserve to be punished for their awfulness. But I felt really bad being made to feel that way, and that's the only thing this movie made me feel.
The movie is pretty poorly written too, but it's so snappy and admittedly entertaining while in the middle of watching it that it's not obvious how poorly it's written until after you've had a chance to mull it over afterwards. I mean seriously, would a Russian Mafia boss (who, by the way, is the good guy, or did I already mention that?) be this inept at killing not one but two women who, no matter how smart and ruthless they might be, still have literally zero experience dealing with Russian Mafia bosses?
Rosamund Pike really needs to jump back into a period gown and do another Jane Austen movie where she gets to be gentle and sweet because otherwise I'm going to be too terrified of her to ever watch her in a movie again.
Grade: B-
Except for Dianne Wiest. I did care about her. She plays the mom of a Russian mafia boss and the latest victim of Pike's scheme, the one who sets the plot of the film in motion. Wiest is a sweetheart, and she was no nice to Kevin Bacon in "Footloose," and she has a brief moment where she puts Pike's character in a bad-ass chokehold, which is what I wanted to do to her, that she had me really rooting for her. I also found myself rooting for her son, the mafia boss, played by Peter Dinklage, and that tells you something right there about how morally vacuous this movie is. The Russian Mafia boss is the good guy. Let me repeat that. The Russian Mafia boss is the good guy. Ok, so he cares more about reclaiming some stolen diamonds than he does his stolen mom, but still. The terrible things he's probably done all happen offscreen, so we can pretend that he's basically nice.
Pike clearly has a ball with this role, and it's a huge testament to her abilities as an actress that she could make this movie even as watchable as it is. But I don't know what I was supposed to take away from this film. I felt extremely anxious and shaky watching it. I just wanted really bad things to happen to her and her partner because they're so deplorable. I wanted them to be tortured and killed, because people as awful as they are deserve to be punished for their awfulness. But I felt really bad being made to feel that way, and that's the only thing this movie made me feel.
The movie is pretty poorly written too, but it's so snappy and admittedly entertaining while in the middle of watching it that it's not obvious how poorly it's written until after you've had a chance to mull it over afterwards. I mean seriously, would a Russian Mafia boss (who, by the way, is the good guy, or did I already mention that?) be this inept at killing not one but two women who, no matter how smart and ruthless they might be, still have literally zero experience dealing with Russian Mafia bosses?
Rosamund Pike really needs to jump back into a period gown and do another Jane Austen movie where she gets to be gentle and sweet because otherwise I'm going to be too terrified of her to ever watch her in a movie again.
Grade: B-
Waste of talent
jimbenben21 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I've worked over 30 years as an attorney specializing in elder care, and I've witnessed tragic exploitation of elders by family members and caregivers. But the idea that a complete stranger could fraudulently waltz in and involuntarily commit a competent senior citizen and personally pocket their assets is complete fantasy. If a corrupt judge was in cahoots, it would take a fast second for them to be reported by an attorney or social worker. So, the premise is nonsense. But this movie is a hot mess for many reasons. The actors are skilled, but the elder fraud story gives way to a bizarre Russian mafia plot that is laughable. And who are we supposed to root for among these despicable crooks and con women? Very disappointing.
Why all the haters?
mhmac-121 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I am shocked to see all the 1's and 2's on here. Are you people for real? Or has there been a managed attempt to sink this film. Like from some national legal guardianship association? First of all, for those thinking the premise unbelievable, this is happening now. There are people, believe it or not, who do what Grayson does in this movie, and the courts allow it. It is a problem in this country, and an extremely serious one. Check out Season 2 of Dirty Money, the episode "Guardianship, Inc." Pretty scary! However this film was not made as a documentary or even a serious drama. Maybe they should have in order to bring awareness to this problem, but instead they put it in the comedy, crime, thriller genres. If you think her ability at handling a Russian mafia guy and surviving death is unbelievable, how about "Home Alone"? Totally unbelievable, but a big hit nevertheless. Every James Bond movie! Totally would never happen! So that argument is meaningless. It is a hard movie to watch, even though it's obviously done with tongue in cheek, just because the subject matter is so upsetting. No, it's not Oscar worthy, but a well-done film with some great talent: Rosamund Pike created a full-fledged villainess, unfortunately Peter Dinklage and Dianne Wiest didn't have that much to do, but are always good anyway.
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