The Meddler

Marnie (Susan Sarandon) is warm, generous and means well, but she simply can’t resist the urge to get up in other people’s business. She is, admittedly, at loose ends since the recent death of her husband. This has prompted her to relocate to Los Angeles, so she can micromanage the life of her screenwriter daughter (Rose Byrne). The film, written and directed by Lorene Scafaria (Seeking a Friend for the End of the World), mostly serves as a showcase for Sarandon, who ably cycles through a series of low-key sit-com and rom-com scenes. There are some light points to be made about mother-daughter relationships (and the boundaries thereof), and the difficulties of moving on from loss. But at least Marnie, like Sarandon herself, is undaunted by her age: She’s lively and colorful, fully embracing new experiences, new gizmos and new friends.