Tribeca 2022: Jerry and Marge Go Large Review

This will be one of several reviews from this year’s Tribeca film Festival. To follow our coverage, click here.

Every once in a while, one just wants to watch something to decompress and feel good for 90+ minutes. These films are basically ones that aren’t physically or emotionally demanding. The term “crowd-pleaser” has kind of become a derogatory term but their track record is hard to argue with though when they hit, they really hit. Based on a true story, Jerry and Marge Go Large is a bonafide crowd-pleaser that will more than likely leave viewers feeling good. This uplifting tale of an elderly married couple finding an unlikely way to live out their glory years is an absolute blast to watch. Meanwhile, its short running time of around the 90 minute mark fits just right. Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening are the absolute cutest as the titular couple and their incredible chemistry along with an excellent supporting cast make it all work at the end of the day. The story and story beats may be simple, however, the film ultimately gets by on heart and charm.

Jerry and Marge Go Large obviously tells the story of a married couple named Jerry (Cranston) and Marge (Bening) looking to live out their glory days following Jerry’s retirement. Retiring not by choice, he did not necessarily take it well. Consumed by his work, the overly analytical Jerry always connected better with numbers than people needed a new outlet and he quickly found one in the lottery after finding a flaw in a popular game that he attempted to exploit. His first attempt was successful but it just wasn’t enough. However, Marge simply wanted to be crazy and live with her husband and his retirement finally offered her that chance. Their thing happened to be the lottery. Rather than going in it for themselves, their venture became a means to revitalize their small town. And their efforts did not go unnoticed, making plenty of friends and allies along the way, including some formidable competition. While the final outcome was never in doubt, this would test their resolve as their experience for them was more than a money making venture.

In the end, the best part of Jerry and Marge Go Large was of course Cranston and Bening and their chemistry as the titular couple. It’s hard to imagine a better combination as the two just work beautifully off of each other and again, we’re the absolute cutest. Bringing plenty of charm and likability to the table, they each make extremely rootable characters.

Jerry and Marge Go Large is revolutionary by any means but it’s just cinematic comfort.

still courtesy of Paramount+

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.