I Care a Lot

With our government’s policies, I probably (luckily) won’t survive until my retirement. It’s just a matter of time until Marla inspires somebody to open a similar professional care service in this country. This cynical, female version of Scarface surfs on the waves of modern trends and, but still comes across subversively. It has a perfect screenplay which doesn’t falter, even at the end, and it manages to squeeze both comedy and a good portion of tension from the ridiculous premise about a "carer" who (completely legally) robs the mother of a white slave trade boss. Rosamund Pike’s acting recital is tastefully seconded by Peter Dinklage. Unexpectedly satisfying. (02/24/2021)

This movie has an imaginative subject matter, a likable cynical approach, and a great plot. However, disappointment soon comes. With such a strong concept and edgy heroine, it is a complete shame that the filmmaker decided to include villains worthy of Looney Tunes animated cartoons, and completely resigned from making any bold decisions. Moreover, it is one of those movies whose final act just happens to be whatever tickled the screenwriter's fancy at the time. It was OK, but it could have been much better. (05/01/2021)

An excellent, cynical, motherfucking thriller about the conflict between two assholes. Rosamund Pike enjoys herself plenty playing a despicable being who abuses defenceless old people, until one day she messes with an old woman who has very dangerous friends. It’s brisk, with excellent performances and a lot of fun, but unfortunately not so well written. In the last act things go a bit too over-the-top and the script begins to rely too much on unlikely coincidences. But I’m willing to turn a blind eye to it, because the ending was pleasant. In short, great satisfaction. (02/19/2021)

I Care a Lot is a stylish, entertaining, and straightforward thrill ride that keeps the tension high and delights with its quirky characters and sharp direction. There’s no hero to root for here—instead, we’re treated to a cast of villains, with Rosamund Pike leading the pack as the ultimate ice queen. It’s no surprise she snagged a Golden Globe for this role. Pike delivers an absolute knockout performance, but the rest of the cast shines too, making this a well-crafted, two-hour treat. (05/12/2021)

This is my Promising Adult Woman! Original subject matter with modern definition of the characters, a clever battle of rock-solid egos, where no one is an angel and everyone deserves a punch in the mouth. A thriller and a gangster film, led by a female character as masterfully as Clint Eastwood did in Leone’s westerns and, at the same time, an accurate mirror held up to American society. Rosamund Pike hands in the best performance by an actress in an English-language film in recent memory – not with award-winning depth, but by bejewelling every scene with surgically precise facial expressions. She is the backbone of this boldly conceived mix of genre elements. The casting of Peter Dinklage seems bizarre at first, but gradually fits perfectly into the caricaturish concept of the film. I Care a Lot could have come off as a cheap novelty, but thanks to great directing and Pike, it turned out to be a little post-modern gem. (02/22/2021)