The Meddler Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A woman with way too much money and free time terrorizes her daughter and accidentally joins a movie set, proving that grief can be solved with an iPhone and a leather-clad ex-cop.

🍿 The Meddler: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Marnie’s Move to LA

Marnie Minervini, a recent widow from New York City, relocates to Los Angeles to be closer to her daughter, Lori. She’s trying to start a new chapter after her husband’s death but struggles with loneliness and finding purpose.

Meddling and Mother-Daughter Dynamics

Marnie’s well-intentioned but overbearing nature frustrates Lori, a screenwriter who is dealing with a recent breakup and the pressures of her career. Marnie constantly texts, calls, and drops by unannounced, leading to friction in their relationship. She struggles to understand Lori’s need for space and independence.

Finding Purpose and New Connections

Seeking to fill the void in her life, Marnie begins to meddle in the lives of others, offering financial assistance and emotional support to acquaintances and strangers. She pays for a lesbian couple’s wedding, befriends a young Apple Store employee, and volunteers at a hospital. This leads to unexpected connections and a sense of fulfillment.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Marnie (Susan Sarandon): A well-meaning but meddling widow who moves to Los Angeles to be closer to her daughter and find a new purpose in life.
• Lori (Rose Byrne): Marnie’s daughter, a screenwriter in Los Angeles, struggles to balance her career and her mother’s overbearing presence.
• Zipper (J.K. Simmons): A retired cop and chicken farmer who becomes a love interest for Marnie.
• Freddy (Jerrod Carmichael): An Apple Store employee who Marnie befriends and supports.
• Jillian (Cecily Strong): Lori’s friend whose wedding Marnie ends up planning and paying for.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Marnie: “You could be my hobby!” – Marnie says this to her daughter Lori when Lori suggests she needs to find a hobby to fill her time, highlighting Marnie’s desire to be involved in Lori’s life.
• Marnie: “I just want to be helpful.” – Marnie frequently states her desire to help others, even when her help is unwanted, defining her character’s meddling nature.
• Marnie: “Is it okay if I stay here ’til I die?” – Marnie’s line shows her loneliness and wish to create connections and belong after the death of her husband.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,200,000
• Domestic Gross: $4,267,218
• Worldwide Gross: $5,427,719

💥 The Meddler Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘The Meddler’! Susan Sarandon was fantastic, and I really connected with her character. Seeing her find new purpose after such a big loss was inspiring. The scenes with J.K. Simmons were heartwarming, and I found myself laughing and crying throughout. The movie just made me feel good!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Susan Sarandon”
  • “Viewers who enjoy heartwarming comedies about family relationships”
  • “Those who appreciate films about older women finding new purpose”
  • “Anyone who enjoys stories set in Los Angeles”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief strong language”
  • “Mature thematic elements related to grief and loss”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Susan Sarandon shines as Marnie, a well-meaning but overbearing mother navigating life after loss. The film delicately balances humor and heart, making for a touching and relatable experience. While the plot meanders, Sarandon’s performance anchors the story.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Lorene Scafaria’s ‘The Meddler’ is a charming comedy-drama anchored by Susan Sarandon’s delightful performance. The film explores themes of grief, family, and finding purpose with a light touch. J.K. Simmons adds warmth to the story.

Audience Reactions

Susan Sarandon’s performance was incredible!: Most viewers loved the heartwarming story and relatable characters, especially Susan Sarandon’s portrayal of a meddling but loving mother.

Overall Consensus: A heartwarming and charming film with strong performances, ‘The Meddler’ is a feel-good movie about love, loss, and finding new purpose in life.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is semi-autobiographical, inspired by writer/director Lorene Scafaria’s relationship with her own mother after her father passed away.”
• “Susan Sarandon’s performance was highly praised for its authenticity and warmth, capturing the nuances of a well-meaning but sometimes overbearing mother.”
• “The film explores themes of grief, loneliness, and finding purpose in life after loss, resonating with audiences who have experienced similar situations.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Meddler?

Currently, “The Meddler” is available for streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, and can be rented or purchased on Apple TV and other digital stores. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Meddler, you might like these similar films:

• Hello, My Name Is Doris (2015): Both films feature an older woman finding new purpose and unexpected connections later in life.
• Terms of Endearment (1983): Explores the complex and often humorous dynamics of a mother-daughter relationship.
• I’ll See You in My Dreams (2015): Deals with similar themes of widowhood and finding new companionship.
• Enough Said (2013): Showcases a middle-aged woman navigating the complexities of dating and motherhood.

🛒 The Meddler Related Products

• The Meddler [Blu-ray]: Relive the heartwarming story of Marnie and Lori with this Blu-ray edition. Includes bonus features and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Apple iPad Pro: The same model featured prominently in the film, which acts as a way for the titular meddler to help strangers in her life. It comes with many features such as a high def retina display.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Meddler features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I Was Here” – performed by Beyoncé

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Meddler Sends Susan Sarandon and Jimmy into a Laughing Fit

Ever wondered what it’s like to chat about ‘The Meddler’ with Susan Sarandon? This Tonight Show clip is hilarious! Turns out, a simple movie mention devolves into a funny story about travel habits… definitely worth a watch for a good laugh.

✨ Rate