SCRAMBLED – Review

Somehow, in the midst of the “first quarter” of the year’s cinematic doldrums and discards a nice surprise “pops’ up to jolt you awake, or at the least engage your senses. And it’s even rarer that it’s from a relative newcomer or an artist that’s not yet “on the radar”. That changes now. Like many creatives, she’s far from an “overnight star”, as her IMDB lists more than a dozen or so acting credits. And then there are several listings of “behind the camera” work, in features and shorts on the big screen and small. Now, with this release she’s a true “triple threat” as she makes her feature directing debut while emoting in nearly every scene. Film fans, here to inject much-needed energy and a bit of snark into the “rom-com” is Leah McKendrick in SCRAMBLED.

So, what’s up with that title, eh? Well, it takes a few minutes to bring its meaning into focus. The opening sequence is a big wedding day, though not for the tale’s heroine, thirty-something “free spirit” Nellie Robinson (McKendrick). Once again she’s a bridesmaid (shades of 27 DRESSES), trying to “get her drink on” and dancing in a clunky, brownish gown. But first, she’s got to “talk down” her BFF, the bride herself Dhelia (Ego Nwodim) who seems to have a case of “mid-ceremony jitters” (the “I do” is done, but she’s in a panic). Finally, the reception begins and between dances, Nellie talks to her “role model” Monroe (June Diane Raphael), who delivers a literal “wake-up call” to her. It turns out that having a child at age 40 was hellishly painful and expensive. After hearing of Nellie’s exact age (34), Monroe tells her that if she has no “partners” or “prospects”, she’d better freeze her eggs if she ever wants to be a mom. This sets the “drifting” Nellie on a mission. As her “main hustle” is most people’s “side hustle” (selling hand-crafted jewelry online), she’s got to get the funds needed for the procedure. Naturally, she turns to her family, who are somewhat baffled, especially blustery Papa Richard (Clancy Brown) and “go-go” tech exec bro Jesse (Andrew Santino), who caves in after loads of begging and pleading. Thus begins an agonizing regime of self-administered shots and medication. But in her downtime, Nellie decides to track down some former flings and a few serious beaus on social media, Could she rekindle an “old flame” and start a family the old fashioned way?

Proving that her other film “duties” don’t have to diminish her performance, Ms. McKendrick makes Nellie one of the most complex and compelling modern women at the heart of this engaging character “arc”. At first, Nellie seems to be a female “spin” on the popular comedy flick trope, the “man-child”, usually played by a stand-up comic or a TV sketch show featured player. She’s always ready to party, complete with a “constantly stocked purse”, though she shows her annoyance at being “support” at the big nuptials. Then a switch is turned by a literal “smack in the face” and McKendrick conveys the worry via her furrowed brow that the clock is ticking…and getting louder. And a “quickie” with a server isn’t silencing it. Sure, there are still moments of immaturity, actually throwing a “hissy fit” in her brother’s office. and we’re confused by her choices as she makes an online “thirst trap”. This serves to make her more human as Nellie “flings’ herself ‘head-first” into adulthood. This all comes through due to McKendrick’s verbal and superb physical skills (timing and great pratfalls).

McKendrick surrounds herself with a terrific cast, balanced with the comedic and dramatic. Though she’s only in one scene Raphael truly delivers with an unexpectedly brutal “bombshell” destroying the “having it all’ fantasy. Nwodim, a SNLer who is more than “ready for prime time”, brings endearing manic energy as the new bride who is just “getting it” and needs her “buddy backup”. As her annoying big brother, Santino is sweetly obnoxious as the corporate “climber” who loves his lil’ sis’, but is confused by her. There’s also a string of gifted actors playing Nellie’s various former fellas’, with corresponding floating cartoon labels (“The Prom King’, “The Cult Leader”), including Adam Rodriguez as the smoothest of players and Brett Dier as the spooky, passive-aggressive “Mr. Nice Guy”. But the movie’s MVP may just be Brown as the perplexed papa. After his great recent turn in PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN, I’m wondering if he should be the “go-to” daddy in these female-driven stories. He’s more grumbly here than in PYW, but he’s still a nurturing “rock’ for the confused Nellie, even as he bemoans the onset of age.

As I mentioned earlier, Ms. McKendrick matches her performance as Nellie with a witty and often heartfelt script and confident direction. The film is swiftly paced even as it switches tones from whimsey (again, those cartoon labels and humiliating “one-nighters”) and the darkness of modern LA (nights of agony as she pokes more holes into her belly). Nellie is on a journey, and we’re right there for her as she strays into many poor choices. In addition to the procedure pain, Nellie is plagued with regret over the “perfect guy” she let slip away. But McKendrick even mines great comedy from this pain (even laughter at a miscarriage support group). Movie fans will be looking forward to her next project when they take a chance on the superb indie “dramedy” SCRAMBLED. And somehow I made it through without a “putting all your eggs in one basket” joke!

3.5 Out of 4

SCRAMBLED is now playing in select theatres