I Care A Lot

         

        This Netflix original film is a piece of nasty fun. Written and directed by J. Blakeson, it is billed as a black comedy, but is blacker than comedy. It's still quite fun due to its clever script and terrific performances.

        Rosamund Pike stars as Marla Grayson, a con artist who manipulates the elder care system to get guardianship of seniors, taking all their cash and possessions for herself and her partner (played by Eiza Gonzalez).  Marla is a ruthless, conniving woman unafraid of anyone or anything. Ms. Pike has a ball playing the part.

        When their newest victim, Jennifer Peterson, is not the easy mark they anticipated, Marla's con takes an unexpected turn. Dianne Wiest plays Jennifer and is easily the best thing about the film. She is wonderful and it's unfortunate that she drops out of the film in the latter half of the story. The film also co-stars Peter Dinklage, also having fun with an unusual part, Chris Messina as an oily lawyer and Isiah Whitlock Jr. as an easily manipulated judge.

         I usually don't take note of hair, makeup and wardrobe but it's worth a mention here as Ms. Pike, especially, looks fabulous throughout the film. Things turn nastier as the story goes and as an audience, you just can't wait for these characters to get what they deserve, but credit the clever writing, I don't think anyone expects it to turn out the way it does.

         It will make a great double feature with the classic "Ruthless People".