Plot Summary: Jerry & Marge Go Large is inspired by the remarkable true story of retiree Jerry Selbee, who discovers a mathematical loophole in the Massachusetts lottery and, with the help of his wife, Marge, wins millions and uses the money to revive their small Michigan town.
Director David Frankel, whose credits includes films like The Devil Wears Prada, brings what is one of the more high-profile films at this year’s Tribeca with his latest outing, Jerry & Marge Go Large. Before getting too deep into the charming but flawed romp, I should say that I can certainly appreciate a non-IP, modest budgeted film with older actors in the lead. Indeed, it’s not a shocker that the best part of this film is its lead actors.
Bryan Cranston once again proves why he is one of our greatest actors working today. With simply a look or gesture, Cranston is able to find the beating heart of a character in a way that feels real and never over-dramatic or hammy. Hell, even some of the clunky dialogue the seasoned actor is handed is at least passable filtered through his craft.
Annette Bening, a national treasure, is an actor that still works steadily but, isn’t making the kind of huge attention getting projects as she did in the ‘90s and ‘00s. Bening, I am happy to report, is at her dazzling best as the titular Marge. Not only does she prove that she can go toe-to-toe with Walter White, she thrives, never fading into the background. Like Cranston, Bening is able to inject a lot of personality and charm into what could be challenging for others to make pop (more on that later). She thankfully never goes fully over-board in her characterization, but rather, finds a sweet spot. Together they have a palpable chemistry. I never knew I needed this duo, but I do, and I want to see them do something else together. The supporting cast is also solid and includes Rainn Wilson as a hilarious stoner, Larry Wilmore and the great Michael McKean.
I will also give the film credit for having a lean pace that certainly works at solid economical storytelling. Rarely do we get any fat, which is helped by a brisk runtime. Sadly, this is where my praise ends. For all its engaging charm, the movie weighs itself down in a few ways. First off, the quaint, awe-shucks small town color starts to wear a bit thin, which brings me to my second point. This movie is so sweet it makes my teeth hurt. Listen, I don’t mind a feel-good movie, but the filmmakers tend to dip a bit too far into sentimentality. While the B-plot of the reporter is important to the story, it still feels like it sidelines the more interesting aspects of the narrative.
As I mentioned above, these stellar actors are given some truly eye-twitching dialogue to work with. Of course, they make it work, but it still doesn’t make it any less awful or awkward. For example, in a moment with Jerry’s son Doug (Jake McDorman), he tells his father, “It’s not about the math. It’s about being human.” As you might imagine, the characters are also very surface level, things are very black-or-white. Jerry & Marge are saint-like figures whilst our villain, Tyler (Uly Schlesinger), is played like a millennial stereotype amped up to 11. Mind you, both are gaming the system, yet Tyler is doing it for selfish reasons. It seemed like they were maybe going to give him some sympathy, but nope, it’s not that kind of movie.
The movie has its heart in the right place. I think the larger story of an older couple transiting into retirement is a worthwhile one and something we don’t see very often. So, I want to give the filmmakers the props for that. However, it’s sappy and at times one-dimensional characters and shaggy writing ultimately lowers the odds on what could have been a winner.
Jerry & Marge Go Large had its World Premiere in the Spotlight Narrative section of the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival. The film is currently available to stream on Paramount Plus.
Directors: David Frankel
Runtime: 96m
Cast: Bryan Cranston, Annette Bening, Rainn Wilson, Larry Wilmore
Sappy and at times one-dimensional characters and shaggy writing ultimately lowers the odds on what could have been a winner
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GVN Rating 5.5
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Big film nerd and TCM Obsessed. Author of The Ultimate Guide to Strange Cinema from Schiffer Publishing. Resume includes: AMC’s The Bite, Scream Magazine etc. Love all kinds of movies and television and have interviewed a wide range of actors, writers, producers and directors. I currently am a regular co-host on the podcast The Humanoids from the Deep Dive and have a second book in the works from Bear Manor.