The 2020 thriller, I Care a Lot, directed by J Blakeson, recently made its way to Netflix where it has since been advertised on many people’s home pages. I had not heard anything of this movie’s release until Rosamund Pike was staring me down from the banner at the top of my recommended movies and as a huge fan of Pike’s earlier work in Gone Girl, I knew I had to give it a watch.
The movie revolves around Marla Grayson, played by Rosamund Pike, whose career is to act as a court-appointed legal guardian for patients with dementia. Marla steps in where family members either can’t or shouldn’t make decisions for their loved ones in order to get them the best care possible. Or that’s how she paints herself anyway. Backed by a corrupt doctor that finds her vulnerable new clients to take on and an oblivious judge that falls completely for Marla’s claims to care deeply for her clients, Marla has dozens of elderly patients under her thumb. As soon as they are in her care they’re whisked off to a nursing home and Marla is left with complete control of their assets.
Marla’s newest client—or victim, rather—seems like a perfect candidate for her scheme as she has no known family to speak of and developing signs of dementia. Everything plays perfectly into Marla’s hands, at least until it’s revealed that her newest client is deeply involved with the Russian Mob. A deadly fight of wits between Marla and the client’s secret son (played by Peter Dinklage) breaks out. And it’s clear neither is going to give so easily.
You’ll be torn between hating Marla for her cruel and unusual tactics or rooting for her “won’t take shit from anybody” attitude. If you enjoyed Pike in Gone Girl, then this is a movie pretty much made for you. Really, nobody plays a cold-hearted woman willing to go to any lengths to get what she wants quite like Pike can. Her foil in this movie, Dinklage, is equally talented and ready to do anything to get his mother out of Marla’s grip.
It’s truly a movie about awful people and what they’re capable of. Definitely not a feel-good movie, but the dry humor and interesting characters keep you fully invested, and you’ll find yourself rooting for one of two villains. It’s surprisingly action-packed for a movie about court-appointed guardianship and a fun watch.
I’d highly recommend giving this movie a watch if you’re looking for something different to add to your list on Netflix.