Susan Sarandon plays THE MEDDLER, the energetic New York widow Marnie who moves to Los Angeles to ostensibly support her adult daughter Lori (Rose Byrne) but who actually moved to escape the void that was created after the death of her husband. Marnie is the kind of upbeat chatterbox who counts the young employee at the Apple as one of her best friends after her third visit there and who knows how to cover up every crisis with a brave smile or an anecdote. Everyone thinks Marnie is delightful and charming, everyone except her daughter Lori who gets far too much of Marnie’s attention: surprise visits, helpful advice, and countless calls. When Marnie gets an appointment to see Lori’s therapist she has had enough. The daughter insists on having “boundaries” and leaves for a business trip to New York while Marnie starts doing the wildest things – and begins creating a new network for herself. Director Lorene Scafaria has worked through her own experiences with her overbearing mother in her film. Though she was annoyed by her she must have also loved her a lot: the consistently well-meaning humor in THE MEDDLER portrays a strong woman who overcomes a hard new beginning well. Sarandon is great and her good-humored surface is combined with moments of grief and insecurity. It’s not as uproariously funny as the title may suggest, it’s more amusing, friendly, and surprisingly moving.

Toni Ohms

Translation: Elinor Lewy