I’ll Be Right There

September 5th, 2024

MOVIE: I’LL BE RIGHT THERE

STARRING: EDIE FALCO, JEANNIE BERLIN, BRADLEY WHITFORD, MICHAEL RAPAPORT, MICHAEL BEACH

DIRECTED BY: BRENDAN WALSH

AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 2 ½ STARS (Out of 4)

RATED: PG-13
RUN TIME: 97 MINUTES

Sometimes, a movie is simply satisfying. That’s how I’d describe I’ll Be Right There. It offers just the right mix of comedy, strong performances, and drama to keep you engaged for its 98-minute runtime. With Edie Falco in the lead, you’re assured a solid film experience. Although “just enough” might not be the most enthusiastic praise, I’ll Be Right There provides a charming, light slice of life.

The film centers on Wanda (Falco), a recently divorced mother of two grown children—each with their own issues—who is dating an oblivious local named Marshall (Michael Rapaport) while having an affair with a woman named Sophie (Sepideh Moafi). Amidst juggling everyone else’s problems, Wanda struggles to address her own. This cycle of codependency is portrayed with nuance through Falco’s compelling performance.

The screenplay by Jim Beggarly feels reminiscent of other family dramas like Moonstruck, Terms of Endearment, or, to a lesser extent, The Kids Are All Right. However, comparing I’ll Be Right There to these films feels like a stretch. The plot revolves around Wanda managing her chaotic family: her mother Grace (Jeannie Berlin) faces a leukemia diagnosis, her daughter Sarah (Kayli Carter) is pregnant and frequently postponing her wedding, her son Mark (Charlie Tahan) experiences manic episodes and threatens to enlist in the army, and her ex-husband Henry (Bradley Whitford) is too absorbed in his new family to offer support. Watching Wanda navigate this tumultuous situation is where the film’s charm lies.

Overall, I’ll Be Right There is a sweet, modest film with a cast that consistently brightens the narrative. Brendan Walsh, a former Nurse Jackie collaborator with Falco, directs with a straightforward approach. The film doesn’t dazzle with strong theatrics or abundant laughs, and nothing about it truly wows. But with Edie Falco delivering a reliably solid performance, sometimes, “just enough” is perfectly fine.

2 ½ STARS

I’LL BE RIGHT THERE IS PLAYING IN SELECT THEATERS ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6TH.

Written by: Leo Brady
leo@amovieguy.com