Director: J Blakeson

Cast: Rosamund Pike, Eiza González, Dianne Weist, Peter Dinklage, & Isiah Whitlock Jr

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During the week of Feb. 15th, I was constantly coming across the movie poster for, and 15-second clips from this film on my social media, along with comments/posts that would read, “so I Care A Lot is gay?” Admittedly, I became interested because nothing from the 15 seconds gave a queer vibe, so I wanted to know just exactly what was so “gay” about it. 

So I checked it out, and I have to say… Wow, people. The “gay” was the thing that mesmerized you? Really!? Chile… I am very disappointed in the lack of full attentiveness many of you gave this film to only walk away with “it’s gay” LOL. But anyway, I was very entertained and satisfied after watching. Something about it felt “fresh” to me, to some degree. 

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 Below are my grades for key components in #ICareALot that I find to be key in any story/film—Theme, Plot, Pacing, and Character Arc/Development. I think it is also important for me to add that moving forward, I will not include a plus-rating in my breakdown, but will continue with minus-ratings.

Additionally, I have added an entertainment factor scale to help you determine whether or not the film is something you’d be interested in taking time out of your weekend, evening, or day to watch. The scale range consists of: Worth the Watch, Interesting Enough (if looking for something new to start), & Don’t Rush.

I have also added a few non-spoiling thoughts, wonderings, and comments as I watched the film to help give some rationale for my grades and entertainment scale. 

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Theme: A 

Plot: A-

Pacing: A-

Character Arc/Development: A-

Entertainment Factor: Worth the Watch

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Takeaways: 

1. First off, let me just take this time to get into Marla’s fashions! YEEEEEESSSSSS! When that hospital scene hit the screen with this yellow and black coherent-mismatched heel! In the all white romper! BIIIIIIIIH! YEEESSSS! And don’t let me get on that damn Inspector Gadget trench—but make it fashion! YEEEEESSSS! 🤣🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

2. Also, the air of millennialism in Pike’s actions as Marla. Just wow. 🤣👍🏾

3. Dianne Weist in the small, but major role that she had was so well delivered. 👍🏾👍🏾

4. The range of Mr. Peter Dinklage! ABSOLUTELY! The moment he spoke, I was drawn in. 👍🏾

5. I appreciated the gradual transition of the film going from humorous to somewhat dark. Now the trailer shared a quote from a review that called the film “dark and hiliarious,” and I wouldn’t necessarily say that. The beginning of the film for me had a grayish [no pun intended] humor—there was a brightness to it, even in terms of the literal lighting for the first half of the film, but the humor was more “problematic/uncomfortable” (kind of like the vibe you get from watching Sausage Party…). Then the moment Alexi visits the home, we get this imagery through him and the 2 gentlemen that act as this merge between the light and the dark that’s about to take over. I really found that moment to be cleverly done. 👍🏾👍🏾

6. Chile, it was the vape for me! 🤣

7. Although the film carries on really well for the most part, I did find myself not as satisfied with the “river” scene… it just felt “too easily accomplished” for the sake of keeping the plot moving, and I would have liked a little more tension/distress.🥴

8. The back and forth between Dean and Marla… so comedy! And so good. 👍🏾

9. I was VERY happy with that ending. VERY! Had the film continued on the path it was headed, I don’t think I would have the same sentiments about the film as I do now…especially due to my personal, viewing relationship with Marla’s character arc/development.    👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

10. I am glad that there wasn’t anything held back in this movie with and towards Pike’s character. 👍🏾

11. There was something so powerful, from a gendered perspective, with the scene at the gas station, and the situation leading up to it.👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

12. That tooth moment to emphasize Marla’s internal struggle… I definitely resonated with it, and was also triggered by it. I remember a few years ago talking with some friends about how in low-income black communities, that particular tooth is one that is commonly missing. I think about my family and those who have it missing. I also have that tooth missing—had it extracted during my early years of teaching (and we know the many sayings about “salary” and teaching). So that moment… I felt that. 👍🏾

13. However, the tooth moment was a little random. I mean, we know she has a connection that is most closely associated with her line of work, but that isn’t enough to imply there were other connections of that particular degree. 🥴

14. Also, I think that tooth moment would hold more weight had the story given more insight to the highs and lows of Marla’s marginal utility.🤷🏾‍♂️🥴

15. You know…I am on the fence about the “intentional character mystery”… I mean, the idea was executed quite well, and I guess knowing wouldn’t really make a difference… but because of the “wheelchair contract,” I feel like I would like to know SOMETHING. 🤷🏾‍♂️

16. Speaking of “marginal utility” from point #14, having more insight to this would have also helped us to get more of a current understanding of her dissatisfaction with her life, which could have elevated her character a little more. 🤷🏾‍♂️

17. And yes, I appreciated the role queerness played in this film—by it not defining the film.👍🏾

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Overall, #ICareALot is an oddly fun and entertaining crime drama/“thriller.” If anything, I would’ve have appreciated seeing a visible POC in one of the active roles, or in Eiza González’s role (and not because she did a bad job—that’s far from the reason). To have a film focusing on class and mobility, it just makes sense to have someone of a marginalized group be part of this “chase” and determination…or, if you are going to lead it with someone of a non-marginalized facing group, at least give more insight as to why this character deserves to own the privilege to tell this story.