Cinema Scholars reviews the family drama I’ll Be Right There, starring Edie Falco. The film also stars Bradley Whitford, Jeannie Berlin, Charlie Tahan, and Kayli Carter. Brainstorm Media will release I’ll Be Right There in theaters on September 6, 2024.
Introduction
Once a person is through the marriage and baby carriage phase of life, another often-ignored chapter begins. The one where you not only navigate life with grown children but also deal with aging parents.
For most, letting go of the day-to-day responsibilities with kids is a welcome change. Yet others with “boomerang” kiddos continue to guide their brood well into adulthood.
In Brendan Walsh’s new family drama, I’ll Be Right There, the title takes on a literal meaning in the story of a middle-aged woman who ping-pongs between everybody’s needs but her own.
Synopsis
Wanda (Edie Falco) is the 50-something matriarch and glue holding her mildly dysfunctional family together. Happily divorced for years, Wanda still actively parents her two adult children. Mark (Charlie Tahan), is a son with past drug issues who can’t seem to find himself. And Sarah (Kayli Carter), a needy daughter whose surprise pregnancy is wrecking her dreams of the perfect wedding.
While Wanda has the emotional support of her gracefully aging mother, she often finds herself the caretaker in that situation as well. Even her love interest(s) seem to be more take than give.
Naturally, Wanda starts to feel the emotional fatigue of shouldering everyone’s problems. As she rises to the occasion again and again, you start to wonder if all the drama is truly a burden or actually the joie de vivre that keeps her alive.
Discussion
Based on the screenplay by Jim Beggarly, Walsh lovingly captures the mostly thankless job of being the head of a family. While Wanda typically thrives on taking care of others, she dances dangerously close to being a controlling enabler. The director’s patient frame allows him to capture Wanda’s journey through all the gray areas in dealing with such high-stress situations.
Taking his time also allows Wanda’s sometimes overbearing nature to override rationality. This further endears the character as an imperfect everywoman. Despite these few harried moments, the story definitely leans into the quirky ebbs and flows of life with sweet charm.
Sweeping shots of the quaint New England town where the story takes place also give the film a friendly feel. Captivating dialogue between family gives plenty of room for nuanced character-building. It also gives pause for numerous light-hearted moments as well.
Performances
Edie Falco turns in another captivating performance as the loving yet flawed Wanda. Even when slightly misguided, Falco’s convincing momma-bear mentality is the heart of I’ll Be Right There. And when Wanda’s guard finally, Falco’s rendering is painfully relatable during her character’s most vulnerable moments.
Bradley Whitford readily serves as Henry, the sh*tty ex whose focus is aimed squarely at his new family. Usually, such a character is insufferable, however, Whitford’s affability makes light of any notion of delinquency. While his brand of letting go of his adult kids isn’t exactly the finest, Wanda should probably take a cue from her ex’s matter-of-fact demeanor, so seamlessly illustrated by Whitford.
Kayli Carter turns on the comical drama as Sarah, the very pregnant bridezilla. Carter’s antics up the zany ante while also providing some of the more touching moments in the film. While Charlie Tahan gets to revel in a few light-hearted moments as Mark, his portrayal nails the darkly aggravating effect he has on his Mother. Tahan’s hold on confusing 20’s listlessness is so real and the eventual trigger for Wanda’s emotional arc.
Last but certainly not least, Jeannie Berlin nearly steals the show as Grandma Grace. The sassy story-telling and sometimes adolescent behavior take on extra while coming from Berlin and her all-nonsense depiction.
Conclusion
I’ll Be Right There is a light and quirky family drama that, like life, doesn’t have time to drown in the heavy moments. Terrific dialogue and personality dynamics ground the meandering storyline. Knock-out performances conveying players in various life stages make for a memorable story about the loyalty of loved ones.
While Wanda questions her motivation, the audience also gets to wonder about Wanda’s actions as well. This culminates in a well-rounded examination of life’s challenges and our naturally flawed actions as we navigate all the bumps and turns.
Brainstorm Media will release I’ll Be Right There in theaters on September 6, 2024.
