I CARE A LOT REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

In 2015, J Blakeson released his adaptation of Rick Yancey’s 2013 novel, The 5th Wave. Unfortunately, it received a negative reception from critics. With his latest feature, I Care A Lot, Blakeson is given an opportunity to establish himself as a skilful filmmaker. Following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, I Care A Lot has been lauded by critics. It’s recently been released on Amazon Prime in the UK, however, is it as good as critics are saying it is?

Poised with sharklike self-assurance, Marla Grayson (Rosamund Pike) is a professional, court-appointed guardian for dozens of elderly wards whose assets she seizes and cunningly bilks through dubious but legal means. It's a well-oiled racket that Marla and her business-partner and lover, Fran (Eiza González), use with brutal efficiency on their latest "cherry," Jennifer Peterson (Dianne Wiest) - a wealthy retiree with no living heirs or family. But when their mark turns out to have an equally shady secret of her own and connections to a volatile gangster, Roman Lunyov (Peter Dinklage), Marla is forced to level up in a game only predators can play - one that's neither fair, nor square.

In answer to my earlier question, yes, Blakeson’s I Care A Lot is as good as the critics are making it out to be. It’s a wildly entertaining thriller, filled with clever twists. 

The standout aspect of I Care A Lot is Pike’s performance as Marla. Although her character isn’t the most likeable, as she steals from vulnerable old people, she’s a lot of fun to watch and her actions are unpredictable. Throughout I Care A Lot, I wasn’t sure what she was going to do next. If it wasn’t for Pike’s lively performance, I Care A Lot would have been boring. Marla is a very similar character to Amy Dunne, who Pike portrayed in David Fincher’s Gone Girl, as they’re both selfish, cunning and smart. Currently, Pike is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy at the 78th Golden Globes. Although I’m not sure if she’ll win, I’m glad her performance in I Care A Lot has been recognised. Hopefully, Pike will receive a nomination from the Academy. The supporting cast are all on top form too, especially Dinklage who is intimidating as Roman, Jennifer’s son who isn’t happy that his mother has been forced into a care home. Despite Roman’s violent threats, Marla isn’t afraid and fights back. Although she shares chemistry with Pike, I felt that González was underused. I would have liked to seen more of her as, like Marla, she’s an interesting character. 

Undoubtedly, I Care A Lot is a significant improvement over The 5th Wave, as it proves that Blakeson is a skilful filmmaker. Because the latter film was based on a book, it lacked original ideas. However, I Care A Lot has a unique premise as it focuses on a female con artist stealing from the elderly. The story features several clever twists that I didn’t see coming, especially the ending which sees Marla forming a surprising business partnership with Roman. The characters are all memorable and interesting. The character that surprised me the most was Jennifer. At first, I thought that she was a simple, kind old woman, however, that wasn’t the case. 

With the entire nation currently a third lockdown, many of us are spending our days watching films on streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.I Care A Lot is currently available to watch on Amazon Prime and is definitely one of the most entertaining films that’s on the streaming site. 

Rosamund Pike delivers one of her most memorable performances as the cunning Marla in J Blakeson’s I Care A Lot which is a wildly entertaining thriller. 

7/10