The Meddler is a 2015 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Lorene Scafaria.
The film stars Susan Sarandon as Marnie Minervini, an aging widow who relocates from New York City to Los Angeles to be closer to her daughter, Lori, played by Rose Byrne, following the death of her husband.
After the death of her husband, Marnie Minervini struggles to find purpose in her life. To be closer to her daughter, a television writer, she moves to Los Angeles. Marnie attempts to fill her days by becoming involved in Lori's life, often leading to humorous and touching moments. Her meddling nature drives much of the film's comedy as she tries to help those around her, sometimes resulting in unintended consequences.
The film features a talented cast, including J.K. Simmons, who plays a love interest, and Michael McKean as a friend. The Meddler received generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised Sarandon's performance and the film's exploration of mother-daughter relationships. It holds a positive rating on review aggregator websites, indicating that it resonates well with audiences and critics alike. Its emotional depth and humor were noted as key strengths.
In terms of box office performance, the film had a modest budget and achieved reasonable success, grossing approximately $5.5 million worldwide. Directed by Lorene Scafaria, who also wrote the screenplay, *The Meddler* was released in April 2016 and has a runtime of 100 minutes. The film is primarily in English and combines elements of comedy and drama to explore themes of family dynamics and personal growth.
*The Meddler* addresses themes such as grief, the complexities of familial relationships, and the journey of self-discovery. Through Marnie's character, the film highlights the challenges of finding purpose in life after loss and the importance of connection with loved ones.