Summary
- Leah McKendrick proves herself as a triple threat: writer, director, and actor, crafting hilarious comedies that capture the everywoman experience.
- The script of Scrambled is filled with sharp dialogue, rapid-fire jokes, and morsels of insight, delivering a perfect balance of sentiment and uproarious humor.
- Scrambled is an inventive and laugh-out-loud indie comedy that pokes fun at stereotypes, making it relatable and enjoyable for everyone and a must-see hit.
It’s rare to come across a new and exceptional storyteller who manages to capture the human experience so brilliantly. Remember how you felt when Lena Dunam unearthed Tiny Furniture, then Girls? Leah McKendrick follows similar suit with the release of Scrambled. The writer, director, and star of the engaging, irreverent R-rated comedy is a delightful triple threat—she’s smart, shrewd, and funny. A rare comedic force, she fills her new single female-positive comedy with great bon mots and moments of refreshing hilarity. Keep your eyes on this filmmaker.
Hollywood is catching on. After creating several standout shorts, McKendrick garnered attention several years ago when she was tapped to write Summer Lovin’, the Grease prequel movie—Danny and Sandy splashing around pre-senior year at Rydell High and all that. Then came news that she would pen the requel to I Know What You Did Last Summer alongside director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. She’s also attached to direct and write the screenplay for TriStar’s reboot of the ’80s cult classic Troop Beverly Hills.
Taking the creative baton from one of the best directors working today, Greta Gerwig (Barbie), the writers of Girls Trip—Erica Rivinoja (The Last Man on Earth, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm) Kenya Barris (Black-ish), and Tracy Oliver (Harlem, First Wives Club)—and passionate filmmaker Julia Ducournau (Raw, Titane), McKendrick puts a spin on the single-girl experience. The outing is based on her own real-life ordeals, and here, it translates into forever bridesmaid Nellie Robinson (McKendrick), who feels the biological clock ticking. Concerned about her health and age, thirtysomething Nellie—like McKendrick in real life—decides to freeze her eggs. Hilarity ensues by way of deprecating humor and exasperating if not existential, insights. Think of Scrambled as a different kind of romcom. This is a love story about a woman—and her eggs.
An Irreverent Comedy With a Lot of Heart
4.5 /5
Release Date February 4, 2024
Director Leah McKendrick
Runtime 1hr 37min
Pros
- Leah McKendrick is proving herself to be a writer, director, and actor capable of crafting hilarious comedies.
- McKendrick knows how to capture the everyman, or everywoman, and understands what it means to be an underdog.
- The script packs a punch with jokes and retorts arriving at a rapid-fire pace.
Cons
- The middle section of Scrambled wanders a bit and may overstay its welcome.
Scrambled also stars Ego Nwodim (SNL), Andrew Santino (Dave, Beef), Adam Rodriguez (Criminal Minds, Magic Mike’s Last Dance), Laura Cerón (Station 19), and Clancy Brown (What If, Billions). The plot finds Nellie reaching a breaking point after attending far too many weddings and baby showers. BFF Sheila’s latest wedding and surprise pregnancy, coupled with news that Nellie’s eggs aren’t as healthy as they could be, prompt her to make a bold decision.
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It’s a big pivot for free-spirited Nellie. Her by-the-books brother Jesse (Andrew Santino) always reminds her that she’s beneath him. Her father, Richard (Clancy Brown), can’t muster empathy for Nellie’s existential malaise. And all of her friends seem to have been married off or relishing pregnancy. There’s a great moment in the film when, after consulting with a doctor about injecting herself with shots to prepare for egg fertilization, a baby shower guest asks Nellie what she’s “been up to?” She responds by telling them she’s decided to freeze her eggs and quickly adds, “Maybe I should have a baby shower.” Blank stares all around.
That’s but one of the winning components of Scrambled. McKendrick knows how to capture the frenzy of the everyman—or, shall we say, everywoman. She has a rare and wonderful ability to understand what it means to be an underdog and embark on a vulnerable journey filled with uncertainty. That thirst to be seen, understood, and find the proverbial finish line is something most people can relate to. Rather than going broad and way over the top in a kind of Bridesmaid comedy, McKendrick keeps things real and grounded without forsaking certain truths—that there will be micro eras in our lives that will feel downright absurd.
Sharp Dialogue and Great Laughs
Scrambled moves along at a breezy pace. It wanders a bit in a more detailed middle section where Nellie’s freeze-the-eggs journey becomes all the more real. Interactions with family members, friends, and even strange bedfellows play out in fine form. Through it all, McKendrick balances everything seemingly with ease both in front of and behind the camera.
Meanwhile, the script sparkles. The dialogue feels organic and flows freely, and often packs a punch with jokes and retorts arriving at a rapid-fire pace, bringing with them morsels of insight. “I don’t even know if I want kids,” Nellie moans at one point. “I’ve seen Euphoria.” Or how about the family dinner conversation where Nellie’s father questions her decisions. “I need to frost-freeze your grandchildren,” she tells him, to which he eventually squawks about “Millennial feminist voodoo.” Sentiment and uproarious humor make for a great couple in Scrambled.
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Modern-day vernacular peppers the tale and a stellar score and soundtrack make for an enjoyable ride. The filmmaker takes the liberty of poking fun at various stereotypes—baby shower BFFs and bros are fair game. There’s something relatable for everybody here, even though the film is a coming-of-age tale about a woman at a crossroads. Inventive, witty, and laugh-out-loud funny, Scrambled is one of the best indie comedies to come around in a long time. McKendrick has given birth to a must-see hit.
Scrambled hits theaters on Feb. 2. Watch the trailer below.
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