I Care a Lot

Jennifer Peterson, known professionally as the court-appointed guardian of seniors "Agnes Rainier," is a cunning and ruthless con artist who has built her empire on the suffering of the elderly. Under the guise of protecting her clients from themselves, Agnes expertly manipulates the guardianship system to take control of her clients' finances and trap them under her care. With her charming smile and calculated charm, Agnes navigates the complex web of bureaucracy to siphon off her clients' wealth, all while keeping her operations under the radar. Agnes's latest target is a wealthy 77-year-old woman named Mary Griffiths, who is still sharp-witted and fiercely independent. Initially, Agnes uses her usual tactics to take control of Mary's estate and assets, convinced that she has another easy target for her schemes. However, things take an unexpected turn when Agnes learns that Mary has a unique set of skills that will change the course of her life. Mary, it turns out, is a skilled thief and smuggler, with a particular expertise in trafficking high-end electronics. With a history that involves evading the law and operating on the fringes of society, Mary has managed to accumulate a small fortune over the years. But, when Agnes takes control of Mary's estate, she unwittingly exposes herself to the latter's cunning and ruthless side. As Agnes tries to navigate the complexities of Mary's finances and the world she has created, she finds herself entangled in a web of deceit and danger. Mary's network of underworld associates and her history of high-stakes crimes threaten to expose Agnes's own scheme and expose her to the authorities. The tables have been turned, and Agnes is forced to confront the consequences of her actions. Meanwhile, Mary sees Agnes as the perfect target for her next heist. As a guardian who has taken control of her assets, Agnes is essentially an open safe with plenty of cash, valuables, and important documents just waiting to be exploited. Mary's initial plan is to manipulate Agnes into giving her access to the estate's funds, which she can then use to fund her own operations and further her own interests. Tensions between Agnes and Mary escalate as each woman tries to outmaneuver the other. Agnes is torn between her need to cover her tracks and protect her business and the growing threat of Mary's influence in her life. As the stakes rise, Agnes's carefully constructed facade begins to crumble, and her world starts to spiral out of control. Throughout the film, Rosamund Pike brings Agnes to life with a captivating performance that oscillates between warmth and cold calculation. Peter Dinklage, as Darius, Agnes's assistant, provides a welcome counterpoint, his awkward charm and loyalties making him the one person Agnes can trust. In contrast, Dianne Wiest, in a supporting role, provides an air of gravitas and authenticity as Marsha, another one of Agnes's clients, who seems oblivious to her circumstances. The cast does a great job of bringing to life a world of senior con artists and hustlers who exist just outside the radar of the law. As Agnes's empire crumbles, the film's central dynamic shifts from con artist versus con artist to a study of the lives and motivations of these often-overlooked individuals. With its taut script, expert direction, and captivating performances, I Care a Lot is a gripping thriller that keeps viewers guessing until the very end.