Netflix’s “New releases” section this week didn’t have many new films. Instead, most new releases were old Hollywood movies, some dating back almost two decades. So what do I do? I take Google’s help and come across something I’d strangely missed this year. The 2020 American movie “I Care a Lot” was released on Netflix in February 2021 and had somehow evaded my watchful eyes. So the black comedy written and directed by J Blakeson became my muse this weekend.
Marla Grayson (Rosamund Pike) does social service in Massachusetts, US, taking guardianship of elders who cannot take care of themselves and are abandoned or ignored by their families. She then places them in elderly homes and also manages whatever funds they have. To the world, Marla is a kind-hearted social service entrepreneur.
But all of this is a sham. She is actually a scammer who targets vulnerable elderly people, fabricates illnesses for them, and convinces courts to give her their guardianship. With the court orders, she locks up her old victims in a facility where they are heavily sedated and not allowed to contact anyone outside. Marla then usurps all their assets and savings.
Marla is a successful con-woman with a booming business when she finds her new target— Jennifer Peterson (Dianne Wiest), a wealthy retiree with no family. With her partner-in-crime Dr. Karen Amos (Alicia Witt), Marla convinces the judge that Jennifer is suffering from dementia and takes over her custody, at the same time rummaging through her wealth. But things turn ugly for Marla soon as Jennifer, presumed to be a loner, turns out to have a son, Roman Lunyov (Peter Dinklage), a Russian mafia boss. Roman’s entry into the script causes havoc in Marla and her partner Fran’s (Eiza González) lives. The conflict that ensues constitutes the story of “I Care a Lot.”
The film centers on the idea of choosing your evils—the Devil or the deep blue sea? Initially, you may hate Marla for cheating the vulnerable elderly. She appears ruthless and spiteful. But when you follow her through the story and watch her encounters with Roman and his gang members, you might also empathize with her. Granted that Marla is malicious, but Roman is not a saint either and Jennifer has a closet full of skeletons too. “I Care a Lot” just paints the picture of the real world where there is more grey than black or white.
J Blakeson’s writing and direction keep the film sharp and edgy throughout. It is hard enough to get the audience engaged in your story; it’s a different ballgame altogether to be able to play with their minds. And Blakeson does that in I Care a Lot. The constantly paced, up-tempo movie needs the audience to be active thinkers to get past it. It is not easy to choose sides.
Blakeson’s efforts are matched and surpassed by Rosamund Pike playing Marla (for which she also won the 2021 “Golden Globe Award for Best Actress—Motion Picture Comedy or Musical”). As a merciless scammer who has placated her conscience with twisted reasoning, Pike’s Marla is one of the strongest female characters we have seen lately. She is brilliant throughout and outshines Hollywood heavyweights like Peter Dinklage and Dianne Wiest. Not taking away anything from the two seasoned actors; it’s just that Pike’s character as well as her acting are just too strong for anyone to even come close.
Who should watch it?
I Care a Lot is a declared dark comedy and a disguised action thriller. This means there’re many things to watch out for and enjoy for a wide range of audience. The film, at 1hr 58mins, might feel a bit lengthy for some (including this reviewer), but clever screenplay/direction and fantastic acting do not let you get bored easily.
Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Comedy, drama
Director: J Blakeson
Actors: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage, Dianne Wiest
Run time: 1hr 58min
