I Care a Lot (2021)

The term "dark comedy" gets thrown around a lot but I Care a Lot fits the bill. Funny in a way that is both uncomfortable and enlightening, this story of a con artist exploiting elderly people by becoming their legal guardian is bitter and biting. The script hits some pretty prescient beats about the ways people will allow themselves to exploit each other. I Care a Lot is dark because of the way it explores the worst of people, average people, not necessarily villains but perhaps the way regular people become villains.  

It's a great idea however Blakeson never quite finds the style needed to tell his story so it feels a little on the made-for-TV side of things. Sometimes it feels like Blakesone is more interested in making his point than crafting an artful tale. The story sometimes veers farther into satire than I appreciated, and would have benefited from a more stylistic approach. But what makes it all work is its cast. From Pike (deliciously malicious) to Weist (glorious) to Dinklage (captivating) to everyone. To watch them tell this story is exciting, even when the story is a bit egregious. 

One thing I liked is the way the film works in its queer protagonist without ever making the film about that. It is an incidental part of her character, never used to villainize her. Other characters are part of diverse groups as well and those never inform their characters. Everyone is allowed to be, and still be nasty. 

So there is a bit of ups and downs with this film. Despite the film's plot weaknesses, the exploration of cruelty is fascinating. I Care a Lot's wonderfully unlikeable characters in their battle of wills can be fun even when it feels a bit silly, and the oscillates towards being more serious in a way that never quite connects. But the strong performances make it a watchable adventure that will gives you something to ruminate on beyond the credits rolling. 

I Care a Lot 

Starring: Rosamund Pike, Dianne Weist, Peter Dinklage, Eiza Gonzalez, Chris Messina, Alicia Witt, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Damian Young

Writer/Director: J Blakeson