Jerry and Marge Go Large
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Jerry and Marge Go Large
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Jerry and Marge Go Large is a comedy starring Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening that's based on a true story about a couple who figure out how to play the lottery so that they always win. Expect a fair bit of strong language ("s--t," "bitch," "a--hole," etc.), as well as drinking, kissing, and mentions of sex. Despite the fact that the story is based on figuring out how to work the system, the film has themes of teamwork, perseverance, integrity, and the importance of community. There's diversity within the cast, with characters of color fleshed out to be more than stereotypes. And Jerry's (Cranston) neurodivergence is explored as a positive trait.
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What's the Story?
JERRY AND MARGE GO LARGE is a comedy about how one man brought his small community together for a common goal. Retiree Jerry (Bryan Cranston) feels unfulfilled. When he uses his math skills to figure out a way to successfully play the lottery, he begins a journey that involves his wife, Marge (Annette Bening), and eventually his whole town, bringing everyone closer together. Along the way, he encounters a Harvard student who tries to buy him out of the game.
Is It Any Good?
This fun, gentle comedy focuses mainly on themes that families can easily discuss around the dinner table, including integrity, giving back, and the importance of family. It's also perfect if you want to watch a film that allows you to escape from the harsh realities of the news and see people come together for good rather than because of tragedy.
The performances in the film are good overall, but the strongest, unsurprisingly, comes from Cranston, who dials into the folksy charm needed to play a character like Jerry. As Marge, Bening is passable, but hers is the weakest character in the film. She's painfully underwritten as a bland, nice woman. While Cranston was able to find some nooks and crannies to dig into Jerry's characterization, Bening turns Marge into a smooth stone of a person. Still, the film does entertain and is likely to leave viewers with feel-good fuzzies.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Jerry and Marge helped their town with the lottery winnings. Why did they want to do that? Were their decisions ethical?
How do the characters demonstrate teamwork, perseverance, and integrity? Why are those important character strengths?
Why was it important for Jerry to play the lottery? How did the lottery scheme bring Jerry and Marge closer together?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: June 17, 2022
- Cast: Bryan Cranston, Annette Bening, Rainn Wilson, Larry Wilmore
- Director: David Frankel
- Studio: Paramount
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Friendship
- Character Strengths: Integrity, Perseverance, Teamwork
- Run time: 96 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: some language and suggestive references
- Last updated: July 1, 2022
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