‘I Care A Lot’ Review- Rosamund Pike Shines In This Comedic Thriller

This movie streamed in 2021..

I Care a Lot made its premiere at the 2020 at the Toronto International Film Festival before being picked up by Netflix for a 2021 release on their streaming service. it is written and directed by J Blakeson.

Marla Grayson (Rosamund Pike) is a con artist who uses the shady doctor Karen Amos (Alicia Witt) to get referrals to seize elderly people’s assets and then place them into a “retirement” center where the orderlies pump them with drugs. Her next target is Jennifer Peterson (Dianne Wiest), whom she lies to local judge Lomax (Isiah Whitlock Jr.) that she suffers from dementia. However, Jennifer has a secret. Her son Roman Lunyov (Peter Dinklage) is a crime boss and he wants his mother back. He will stop at nothing to get her back. Fran (Eiza González), Marla’s accomplice and girlfriend, begs her to give it up, but after Grayson discovers diamonds hidden in Jennifer’s safety deposit box, and has no plans on backing down.

The acting is superb. I just want to get that out of the way. Rosamund Pike does such a great job of mesmerizing you. Her character is so cruel and cold, but she meets her match with Peter Dinklage’s character. The two of them have such great chemistry as they do battle. Pike truly shows her acting chops and brings the entire movie to its epic climax.

The story is enthralling. From beginning to end you get pulled into the insane. It is a dark comedy and you often find yourself laughing at the incidents happening all around. You are especially angry at a legal system that allows judges to be hustled by flashy speeches, shady dealings, and what not.

However, unintentionally, the film is a critique of woke feminism. Marla is calculating, smart, and any criticism she receives is thrown into the waste bin, “men hate me.” Yet, she is not likable. She is cruel, cold, and though capable of passion at times, it is clear that greed is her motivator. Sure, you get hooked into her battle of wits with Jennifer, but you do not find yourself cheering for her. If anything, you feel compassion for her victims. It shows how selfish she is, and you realize that this is not a role model. She is a criminal, a masterful one, and her story fascinates you.

Bottom line, I Care A Lot is a darkly funny film that has some incredible performances. Netflix is better at these dark comedies and this movie definitely stands out.

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Violence, Drug related content, Strong language, Sexual innuendo

FAVORITE QUOTE: After I destroy you, I will destroy her.

Check out the trailer below:

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, anime, movie, or novel you would like me to review.