I’ll Be Right Thereis a great and critically acclaimed film that is a wonderfully bittersweet tribute to parenthood. The dramedy focuses on a mother who struggles to contend with all the tasks and responsibilities she faces as a mother to a dysfunctional family. The film focuses on Edie Falco’s Wanda, a friendly and well-meaning woman who finds herself constantly helping those around her. This includes her constantly gambling mother Grace, her recovering addict son Mark, and her pregnant daughter Sarah.
On top of that, Wanda finds herself torn between two lovers, both of whom consistently try to turn her into their idealized partner. It’s a quietly tricky balancing act that the film can nail, and a challenge thatI’ll Be Right Thereknocks out well. The film (and the world within it) hangs almost entirely on Edie Falco’s role as the patient mother, and it speaks to kind of tricky situation all parents must face over time. Edie Falco’sI’ll Be Right Thereis a sweet ode to motherhood that will make any other parent cry (in a good way).
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I’ll Be Right There Is A Perfect Little Portrait Of Parenthood
Wanda’s Parental Struggles Are Grounded And Compelling
I’ll Be Right Thereis a wonderful and tightly constructed film, highlighting the challenges of modern parenthood. Wanda is a well-meaning mother and daughter, who finds herself constantly sacrificing her own time and desires for the sake of her family. As her ex-husband Henry notes, she’s too committed to helping people and making them happy to focus on herself. This carries over to her relationship with the well-meaning Marshall, as well as her affair with the younger literary professor Sophie, both of whom have clear internal views on Wanda that don’t necessarily track with her real self.
Henry
Bradley Whitford
The film follows Wanda during a particularly stressful few days, where she finds herself juggling her various commitments to her loved ones. Overall, it’s a sweet ode to parenthood, highlighting the lengths a woman is willing to go as a mother even when her children act out and make every phone call a struggle. The film is entirely told from her perspective, with the rest of the cast appearing as they intersect with her life. This allows the movie to be entirely focused on Wanda and her struggles and keeps the spotlight on her, showcasing a terrific central performance.
I’ll Be Right There Is One Of Edie Falco’s Best Movies Ever
Edie Falco Keeps Wanda Grounded And Charming
Edie Falco has been a talented actor for decades.Falco’s performances inThe Sopranosuniverse andNurse Jackiehighlight her versatility as an actor.I’ll Be Right Thereis something different, a far more loving and understated performance that benefits from her comedic timing and deeply felt humanity. Wanda is a portrait of motherhood, patient with every twist and turn her children throw her way even as she’s exhausted by it all. Wanda is a character that could potentially feel like a cipher in the wrong hands, pulled in too many directions to find the beating heart of the film.
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However,Falco does a terrific job of grounding the character in her experiencesinstead of letting them define her, keeping Wanda’s exasperation believable and affecting instead of predictable and bland. It’s a strong performance from a great actor, and elevates the already solid writing ofI’ll Be Right Therebeyond what it sets out to accomplish. Wanda is sweet and charismatic, but also so committed to her family in a way that escalates her evasiveness and sense of loneliness. It’s a great performance and highlights what makes the drama one of Edie Falco’s best movie roles.
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I’ll Be Right There Is Perfect For Parents
I’ll Be Right ThereSums Up The Parental Experience Beautifully
I’ll Be Right Thereis a terrific dramedy, but an especially effective one for parents. The film underscores the commitment that one has to have as a mother or father, a genuine desire to help the people in your orbit even when it comes as a blow to yourself. Wanda spends the film responding to people who tell her she’s not doing enough for herself by admitting being a parent is something that matters to her, and it makes her happy even if it also drives her up the wall.
Wanda’s not a martyr in the film, and the script doesn’t attempt to paint her as one. ThroughoutI’ll Be Right There, Wanda isn’t portrayed as a perfect person but is consistently shown to be a committed mother (especially in comparison to Henry). It’s a sweet ode to the joy and heartbreak of being a parent. The film highlights the difficulties of letting kids go and leading their lives, even while remaining a consistent rock to lean against.I’ll Be Right Thereis an incredibly solid film, and one that works thanks to Edie Falco’s performance.
Cast
Wanda tries to keep her own life together while simultaneously taking care of everyone else around her.
