What Lorene Scafaria accomplishes here is deceptively simple, yet also profound and joyous. In the feel-good genre, few films stand out as more than formula and schmaltz. But Scafaria has made one of the best films of its kind.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Apr 11, 2022

Another rewarding film with fully realized characters who have honest-to-God conversations with each other.

| Original Score: A- | Aug 28, 2021

Marnie is a terrific character, brought to life not only by Sarandon (it's her best work in ages) but also by Scafaria, who refuses to let the woman lapse into cartoonish caricature (e.g. Barbra Streisand in The Guilt Trip or Sarandon herself in Tammy).

| Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 18, 2021

The script, which could be enough material to carry out a comedy, sounds good on the paper, but as the story progresses, clichés, stupid situations and exaggerated reactions inevitably accentuate. [Full Review in Spanish]

| Aug 23, 2019

It's a sweet little movie.

| Original Score: B | Apr 12, 2019

A profound look at loss and loneliness... Sarandon, accent aside, is very good here.

| Original Score: B | Jan 15, 2019

It takes the approach to "a mother's work is never done" with Susan Sarandon, who gives one of her most nuanced, albeit plucky roles in years.

| Original Score: B+ | Dec 10, 2018

Sarandon's character goes far beyond a satisfying cliché of an excessively doting mom. The film delves meaningfully into why and how she feels the way she does.

| Aug 23, 2018

"The Meddler" is a humorously poignant look at aging, grief, identity and the need for connection.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 22, 2018

Sure to make you laugh, cry and call your mom (in no particular order), The Meddler is a heartwarming and surprisingly deeply satisfying film about the power of relationships and moving on.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | May 14, 2018

Somehow a story that otherwise honors the value of a man to his family fails to notice the irony of applauding arrangements that rob little girls of fathers.

| Mar 6, 2018

Susan Sarandon's performance stands above the rest.

| Nov 16, 2017

Sarandon and Byrne are great together, and the gruff J K Simmons relishes a rare romantic part in what is an intelligent and touching exploration of long-term grief.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 23, 2017

Honestly, The Meddler does not start well at all. But stick with it. Before long, Sarandon bends it to herself and makes it into something that is, if not quite marvelous unto itself, a marvelous display for her particular talents as an actress.

| Sep 26, 2017

[Susan] Sarandon is sublime.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 15, 2017

The Meddler never tips over into broadly thoughtless hijinks.

| Original Score: B+ | Sep 12, 2017

It is the cinematic equivalent of an intrusive relative who asks you rude questions that don't make any sense until you realize that a desperate urge to connect underlies those inquiries.

| Aug 22, 2017

Sarandon is magnificent in a film that's as full of heart as it is blatant Apple product placement.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 3, 2017

The premise, based in part on truth, may sound sitcommy, but Sarandon makes everything work. She's delightful.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Dec 31, 2016

Sarandon gives a committed and sometimes touching comic performance as a woman whose good intentions are inseparable from her desire to involve herself in the lives of others.

| Dec 12, 2016