SPOILERS BELOW
I watched this movie for two very good reasons; Peter Dinklage & Diane Weiss, both of whom performed brilliantly. In fact, the casting was believable and did not disappoint. The plot, pacing and subject were all woefully, lacking.
The Plot - They introduce you to protagonist with absolutely NO redeeming qualities. The try to make her appear human, by showing us her love interest, her brave, pragmatic perspective, but it's all subterfuge. I feel nothing, save contempt, for her, her lover or her motivations, and although Dinklage is meant to be her foil (or vice-versa), he is only marginally better. I mean, even Knives Out had some characters you could root for; not the case here at all. The closest to a true victim here is Weiss as the elder mother being railroaded into a care facility.
Pacing - Actually, I'm not sure if that's the right word... tone? All I know is that the beginning felt a bit campy, especially the cab driver and lawyer characters, and I thought maybe this was going to be like a Dirty Rotten Scoundrels thing. Then it shifted to a more serious, crime film drawing from things like Wild Things, but again, with no one to sympathize with, in either group. And then ended in some sort of, 'oh look, she outsmarted the mean gangster who was trying to save his mother from the brutal, abuse at her hands! Remember, she ordered "enhanced interrogation" techniques be used on an elderly woman out of petty spite. But I digress...
Subject - On the one hand I can see & appreciate the satirical lens as applied to elder care in general, and guardianship abuse of this nature, in specific. However, it paints a dark picture for those facing these decisions, when so many are genuine, monitored & safe care facilities. It gives those doing good work a bad light. And ultimately, it just feels like a bait and switch. The trailers framed the topic as cruel, con-woman gets her comeuppance when she abuses the wrong woman, but then becomes everyone is wretched and no one gets consequences...until the end.
I smiled so much, my cheeks hurt. Good for him.