In fact, comedy and drama converge beautifully in Brendan Walsh's latest indie darling, I'll Be Right There. Making its world debut at the 2023 Hamptons Film Festival and slated for a limited theatrical release starting September 6, this is a great comedy-drama film that every age group would enjoy.
The show is centered around the character of Wanda, portrayed by the excellent Edie Falco, who manages to be full-time wife, girlfriend, mother, and daughter. Wanda is a story of love and especially sacrifice where most of her time is spent nurturing the needs of other people in her life even if she has little time for herself. Falco's performance is incredibly touching and credible, making audiences remember why this talented woman is still adored by many people in Hollywood.
The film has cast Jeannie Berlin, Charlie Tahan, Kayli Carter, Michael Rapaport, Michael Beach, Sepideh Moafi, Jack Mulhern, Paul Schulze, and Bradley Whitford, the latter of whom won an Emmy award. Both actors perform very well on screen and each of them has their own style of acting which adds to the movie's diverse cast of characters. This is another cooperation between Falco and Brendan Walsh, who worked together on the popular show Nurse Jackie.
The plot centers around Wanda's attempts to navigate a myriad of personal challenges: her 8-month pregnant daughter is planning a wedding, her mother thinks she's dying, her son is going back and forth between rehab and the army and her romantic entanglements are quite complicated. Still, in the middle of all this, Wanda is strong and can crack jokes, giving the viewers an insight into the modern parenting.
Directed by Jim Beggarly and produced by Peter Block, Cory Neal, Bradley Ross, Ross Meyerson, Julie Tucker, and Brendan Walsh, I'll Be Right There is a splendid example of indie film making. The film received a very warm reception when it was first previewed at the Hamptons and Santa Barbara Film Festivals.
As September 6th approaches, movie enthusiasts should mark their calendars for this touching and humorous exploration of family dynamics. I'll Be Right There is not just a film; it's a celebration of life's imperfections and the love that binds us all. Don't miss the chance to experience this indie treasure on the big screen.
