Maggie’s Plan (2016)

Review

99min

Genre:      Comedy, Romance

Director:   Rebecca Miller

Cast:        Greta Gerwig, Ethan Hawke, Julianne Moore…and more

Writers:    Rebecca Miller, Karen Rinaldi

-Synopsis-

“Maggie” thinks she found love when she falls for a married man and breaks up their troubled marriage, but when regret hits and reality sets in, she hatches a plan to reunite her man with his estranged wife in a screwball comedy from writer/director Rebecca Miller.

Helmed by writer/director/actor Rebecca Miller, coincidentally also wife of Daniel Day-Lewis and daughter of Arthur Miller, ‘Maggie’s Plan’ stars doyenne of the independent film circuit Greta Gerwig as “Maggie”;  a well adjusted, independent woman looking to have a child, who meets Ethan Hawke’s family man and soon-to-be divorced writer “John”.

But when two families become one large dysfunctional one and her life doesn’t turn out the way she expected, “Maggie” conspires to get “John” back with his ex-wife “Georgette”; a stern, impassive Danish academic brilliantly portrayed by the ever captivating Julianne Moore… and providing no small measure of the film’s humour.

Clearly Miller and co-writer Karen Rinaldi are fans of “Golden Age Hollywood” screwball romantic comedies and have also taken major inspiration from Woody Allen; creating flawed but likeable quirky characters who are all white, cultured middle-class New York urbanites. “Maggie” herself is infinitely likeable and well-meaning, but simultaneously controlling and manipulative, and she’s flanked by needy self-obsessed characters who nevertheless have their charms.

‘Maggie’s Plan’ is very much your quirky New York “intellectual” comedy; not as polished as Allen at his best and taking on familiar themes, albeit at a slightly different angle. But there’s more than enough inherent charm here, with Miller presenting us academics and high achievers who still manage to be as childish and full of self-doubt as the rest of us.

Greta Gerwig is her usual quirky and infinitely likeable self in the central role; Ethan Hawke delivers a typically solid but unspectacular performance while Julianne Moore proves she can do it all in a heavily accented, slightly over-the-top and yet subdued role which steals the show… not to mention the adorable children who prove the only heart-melting elements in the movie.

This film is an alternative for those weary of the slew of lewd and irreverent but often mindless comedies out there; but it’s not as cerebral or layered as it would have you think, ultimately this is not a game-changer, just  a well but familiarly crafted quirky indie relationship comedy/drama.

Nevertheless ‘Maggie’s Plan’ is an entertaining and funny enough modern screwball comedy romance which thankfully steers well clear of cringeworthy Hollywood romanticism; with an unorthodox but not unheard of family dynamic and a predictable but satisfying narrative-changing twist.

The Bottom Line…

A quirky urbanite screwball farce of dysfunctional relationships, from the Woody Allen school of neurotic New York “intellectual” comedy;  ‘Maggie’s Plan’ isn’t hilarious or original enough to be unforgettable, but Rebecca Miller has nevertheless crafted an enjoyable lark which is a welcome change from all the irreverent shock comedies of the moment.

Similar films you may like (Home Video)

Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)

Woody Allen’s classic dysfunctional family screwball dramedy romance, featuring an all-star cast in a story revolving around New York thanksgiving dinners, and the fortunes of 3 sisters and their incestuous relationships with their respective husbands.

Directed by Woody Allen and starring Mia Farrow, Barbara Hershey and Michael Caine among others.

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