What happens when two people who never lose go up against each other?
You get one incredibly captivating film.
When watching a Netflix original movie, you’re usually not expecting a film that will stick with you long after switching off the screen. At least that’s not what I was preparing for when curling up to watch, “I Care a Lot,” the newest Netflix original that rapidly hopped to the #1 spot on Netflix’s “Top 10” list.
However, after riding the riveting roller coaster that is this movie (and spending at least an hour processing what I had just seen), I can confidently say I set the bar far too low for this film.
Within the first few minutes of “I Care a Lot,” you’re hit with protagonist Marla Grayson’s piercing perspective on modern-day America.
“There are two types of people in this world. The people who take and those getting took. Predators and prey. Lions and lambs. My name is Marla Grayson and I’m not a lamb. I am a f*cking lioness.”
Devilishly daring and callously calculated, this self-evaluation gives us a small glimmer into the mind of Marla Grayson: the captivating character who plays a large part in making the film the memorable masterpiece that it is. We have actress Rosamund Pike to thank for that.
Known for her knockout performances in “Gone Girl,” “Jack Reacher,” and “Fracture,” Pike is no stranger to roles requiring her to play dangerously daring people. Therefore it’s no surprise she takes the character of Marla Grayson and creates a chillingly charming persona that audiences will remember far after their viewing experience is over.
Pair Pike with actress Eiza González Reyna, who plays Grayson’s loyal lover and partner in crime, Fran, and renowned actor Peter Dinklage, whose character is equally as maniacal and manipulative as Grayson, and you have a cast that could bring any script to life. The fact the film’s storyline is just as applause-worthy as the actors’ performances is what truly makes this Netflix original a standout amongst other films in its genre.
The story dissects the corruption and evil lying at the heart of corporate America in a way that is equal parts unapologetic, authentic, and unprecedented. The film does so by following a crooked team of females that work in state-appointed guardianship: a process where elderly folks who cannot take care of themselves are paired with state-appointed guardians who take control of their finances, belongings, and overall well-being.
By placing the conniving characters in a profession that should only be pursued by those devoted to taking care of vulnerable parties, “I Care a Lot” illustrates the power that a need for money, success, and control can have over a person. The same power that drives the film’s characters to throw morality, virtue, and fairness out the window in exchange for a few hundred dollar bills.
Though in the proper “expect the unexpected” fashion that we anticipate in psychological thrillers such as this one, the film doesn’t stop there. When Grayson becomes the guardian of a seemingly innocent elderly woman, Jennifer Peterson (played by the wonderful Dianne Wiest), and begins her usual manipulative schemes, her world turns upside down.
Just as audiences begin furrowing their brows, wondering if the movie’s goal is to promote the idea that cheating and cutting corners is the only way to be successful in America, the film’s main characters get a taste of their own malicious medicine. In the blink of an eye, the movie’s central message goes from “hard work and fairness mean nothing in the real world,” to “karma always has a way of coming back to bite you”.
From the second the film reveals that Jennifer Peterson is not nearly as innocent as Grayson initially thought, you’re going to want to buckle your seatbelts. It’s nearly impossible to find a film that throws a new twist your way every ten minutes (especially when talking about Netflix original movies), however, this film does so with unbelievable ease.
Between an incredibly well-casted team of actors and an enthralling storyline, writer and director J Blakeson truly outdoes himself with “I Care a Lot”. By delivering a compelling mystery, sharp social commentary, and deliciously dark comedy, the movie takes any preconceived notions you may have about Netflix originals and throws them out the window.
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