I’LL BE RIGHT THERE: If Parenthood Were A Modern Indie

I’ll Be Right There is what an indie dramedy should be: A balance of drama and comedy.  It’s got characters you care for, even though they may be flawed. It has heart, and most importantly, laughs. The “edy” part of dramedy stands for comedy.

I think sometimes the comedy aspect gets lost.

There’s Supposed to Comedy in Drama

If you went to a movie labeled a comedy and left with only a few chuckles, you probably wouldn’t say it’s a good comedy. I feel the word “dramedy” has become a marketing tool to feign there’ll be laughs in a movie when, in fact, it’s very tragic and depressing. I’ll tell you something, folks: there’s really nothing funny about cancer. I’ll Be Right There, however, is a perfect balance of drama and comedy.

When we first meet Wanda (Edie Falco), she’s driving her mother to a doctor’s appointment. Her mother, Grace (Jeannie Berlin), is convinced the news will be bad—lung cancer bad. Wanda, bewildered, tries to console her mom but can’t get a word in edgewise. Meanwhile, she receives a call from her daughter, Sarah (Kayli Carter). Sarah is pregnant and near giving birth. She’s panicked and needs her mom to take her to the hospital because she hasn’t felt her baby kick in over 10 hours.

Wanda tries to assure her everything is okay but promises to get her after Grandma’s appointment. Of course, this will make her just a little late in getting to her son’s therapy appointment. Mark (Charlie Tahan) is a recovering addict and seems to be in therapy more for his mother than for himself.

Mom doesn’t have lung cancer and immediately starts smoking again. Sarah, also planning a wedding, has her baby start kicking up a storm while waiting at the hospital. Meanwhile, Wanda shows up late to Mark’s appointment, arriving just before the therapist throws Mark out for lying.

And that’s all before lunch!

What happens after lunch is even more chaotic. It involves Wanda’s ex-husband, her current boyfriend, her current girlfriend (yes, girlfriend), and a girl’s bike that needs to be returned to its owner. I was exhausted for her.

Hits All of the Beats

Director Brendan Walsh keeps it all together and makes sure everything comes together in a swift, efficient pace. He also pays attention to the movie’s comedic beats by ensuring he captures reactions and that his actors deliver some of this year’s best snap dialogue.

Writer Jim Beggarly’s sharp sarcasm, at times, reminded me of the great Neil Simon, who knows his way around a reaction and a word or two! A director and writer can’t make the dialogue zing without a talented cast to pull it off. I’ll Be Right There has that cast. Led by Edie Falco as Wanda, who is fantastic!

One of an actor’s greatest gifts is how they react. Falco’s reactions are brilliant. With just a flummoxed look, she had me laughing. She is also the heart of the movie. Wanda is aware she’s flawed. A lot is going on, and she’s trying to keep it all together for her mother, daughter, and son, all the while trying to reconcile her own life. This is one of her best performances. I found it to be award-worthy. When an actor is so good, they make those around them rise to their level – that’s worthy of notice!

The cast all meets Falco: Jeannie Berlin as Wanda’s mom, Grace, drips New York sarcasm. She could’ve stepped right out of a Woody Allen movie. Michael Rapaport comes off as charming. The way he pines for Wanda is sweet. It’s a side you don’t often see when he’s on “The Howard Stern Show”!

Bradley Whitford, as Wanda’s ex-husband Henry, plays the perfect foil. He’s not nasty, but his priorities are a bit out of whack. At times, he tries to reassure Wanda that things might just be for the best. Unfortunately, his motivation isn’t driven by his love of family. Charlie Tahan as Mark can pull off sympathetic. Tahan makes you believe the character is trying hard to change and do something to make his mother proud.

Kayil Carter, as the about-to-be-wed and pregnant daughter Sarah, is just the right amount of irrationally anxious. Carter delivers some good laughs. The chemistry between Falco, Berlin, Carter, and Tahan makes them feel like a real family.

I’ll Be Right There is about family and what a mother will do to make sure everyone is happy and cared for. I was raised by a Greek mother… I know firsthand what it’s like. I’m sure you had or know someone in your life that’s similar.

It is always comforting to hear the words: “I’ll Be Right There.”

I’ll Be Right There never overplays its hand and becomes schmaltzy. It showcases family drama and how, within that drama, there can be something to laugh and feel good about. That’s how I felt after watching this movie, and I believe you will too.

I’ll Be Right There be released in theatres on August 30th, 2024.