Maggie's Plan - A Movie Review

This story has its own momentum.

Maggie’s Plan is a 2015 film. Maggie wants to raise a baby on her own. She becomes romantically involved with John, a married man. Things get complicated in romance and Maggie’s plan collapses.

I had Maggie’s Plan on my list for two reasons. The first was that the incredible Greta Gerwig was in the film, and it had a bold premise you rarely see. I had no idea what to expect. Maggie’s Plan is a scattered story that didn’t explore its depths.

Having seen Greta Gerwig’s close-handed direction, I was excited to see her on the acting side. Maggie is an intelligent and independent woman who wishes to have a child and avoid romance. Having little interest, that all changes the instant she meets John (Ethan Hawke), who confesses his deep feelings to her and they marry.

While Ethan Hawke is great, his character is obnoxious, putting all responsibilities on Maggie’s shoulders. His excuses are pathetic. I have not seen Hawke play a character like this so it demonstrated his acting skills.

Julianne Moore is also in this film (with a rather peculiar accent) as John’s ex-wife, Georgette. This script was hastily put together. Maggie and Georgette have secret meetings to get John back together with her - if they ever had any true feelings to begin with.

The film sets up a weird dynamic between the characters that never makes sense. The cast has good chemistry with one another which saves the film. The characters in Maggie's Plan are flawed and intricately woven into a web of emotions, desires, and dilemmas. Maggie is meant to be a vulnerable person who is unsure of her path, though her decisions are frustrating.

The best characters in the film are Tony and Vi, played respectively by Bill Hader and Maya Rudolph. They were the best pairing of all! Hader is one of the reasons why I wanted to watch the film when I saw him in the trailer. They’re the only sensible characters in the film. Hader and Rudolph are amazing in their parts. Their bickering and ad-libs are funny.

Rebecca Miller didn’t pay much attention to her script. It lacks a cohesive focus. Is this film about a woman who wants her own thing or was it always a complicated love story? Not even a half hour in and the story takes a complete 180! I thought one of the characters was fantasizing.

The dialogue is witty and often brutally honest, offering moments of humor that are grounded in the characters' authentic struggles. However, the same complexity that lends the story its depth can also make it challenging to fully connect with the character's decisions and actions.

The complicated love story and characters could be on purpose as one of the characters remarks, everybody has a little bit wrong with them. Life gets complicated and so does love. It is important to view this film with an open mind surrounding the topics and relationships. Second chances are possible depending on how you go through with change and commitment.

Ultimately, it’s a story about happiness. Writing plays a central theme in the story. It’s taken me a while to come around to this film. You don’t know how the story will play out because it’s like life. As awkward as the movie is, Maggie’s Plan should not be glossed over. For some viewers, the story is relatable.

Maggie’s Plan should have gone through a second edit. Like the story, it’s a complicated movie. Other than its performances the film is not the best.