THE MEDDLER

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Susan Sarandon is in gold medalist acting form as the gold meddler mum, Marnie, in THE MEDDLER.

Still coming to terms with widowhood, the empty-nester has moved from New Jersey to Los Angeles to be nearer her daughter, Lori, played by the luminous Rose Byrne, a television scriptwriter who is failing to come to terms with the failure of her relationship with an actor.

Mum wants to cuddle and comfort but Lori feels like that this is like clinging claustrophobia, so her time and attention is diverted elsewhere – to her daughter’s friends, a boy she befriends in an Apple Store, and as a volunteer in a geriatric ward.

J.K. Simmons as the marvelously named Randy Zipper, retired cop, chicken fancier and Harley Davidson devotee, who becomes her knight in shining ardour.

Writer director Lorene Scafaria explores the fine line between parental concern and meddling mum and the risk, either real or perceived, of becoming a smother mother.

What could become a cliché ridden chic flic is elevated by a layered script and equally layered performances.

Concern definitely goes into overdrive when Marnie goes to the same therapist Lori does and when she tags along on a date with a new boyfriend, Ben. a sweet B cameraman who takes Marnie into an awkward confidence, and one wonders if Marnie’s redirection of maternal love to Lori’s friends who are planning weddings and hosting baby showers is an overstep.

The underlying tone, however, is that Marnie wants everyone to be happy, a happiness she attained with her dear departed husband. Her generosity wins her many new friends, but Marnie can’t deny to herself that she’s still avoiding the thing that drives her compulsion to help: she’s frightened of being alone, and unsure of how to let go of the memory of her husband and make things better with Lori.

THE MEDDLER is unafraid to be broad – Marie scoffs a spliff stash in a panic ploy of saving a friend from police arrest and blithely tells airport officials that she is visiting her daughter “who just shot a pilot”. Nor is it afraid to be poignant and tender, as in where she meets with her late husband’s family. His three brothers argue over the headstone, the ashes in a wonderfully scripted sibling argument. There’s also a beautiful moment concerning an elderly female patient in the hospital Marie has volunteered for.

Susan Sarandon is simply sensational, a true screen siren at nearly Seventy, who imbues the character of Marnie with strength, beauty, integrity and humour.

THE MEDDLER is a tribute and honour to mothers and of the magic of letting go and being there.