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Poster for The Meddler

The Meddler

2016 · 1h 40m · PG-13 Comedy, Drama
Directed by Lorene Scafaria

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Overview

With a new iPhone, an apartment near the Grove, and a comfortable bank account left to her by her beloved late husband, Marnie Minervini has happily relocated from New Jersey to Los Angeles to be near her daughter Lori, a successful (but still single) screenwriter, and smother her with motherly love. But when the dozens of texts, unexpected visits, and conversations dominated by unsolicited advice force Lori to draw strict personal boundaries, Marnie finds ways to channel her eternal optimism and forceful generosity to change the lives of others - as well as her own - and find a new purpose in life.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
Rotten

Scafaria's sympathetic intentions fall to simplistic setups and easy resolutions. She offers the characters no significant traits beside their functions in the action; the movie coasts on the charm of the actors, whom the director coaxes to mug ...

Richard Brody, New Yorker
Fresh

Much like its main character, "The Meddler" exudes an irresistible charm.

Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Fresh

You root for Marnie, even when it's clear why Lori struggles with her, and you hear her persistent voice in your head for a while afterward - reminding you, perhaps, to give your own mother a call.

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
Fresh

The beauty of The Meddler is in its insistence that grief passes - even if you can't buy your way to happiness.

Connie Ogle, Miami Herald
Fresh

Sarandon sparkles in this lightweight comedy-drama.

Rafer Guzman, Newsday

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