Scrambled, the debut from writer/director Leah McKendrick, cracks open the complexities of fertility with its ‘woman-disrupted‘ sense of humor—you’ll wince but never cringe at the hard knocks as much as you’ll smile at the antics. With its comedic take on a fact of life that is universal because it’s so personal, Scrambled asks: What do you do when the clock is ticking, and everyone (friends, your overbearing father x brother combo, and your fertility doc) keeps staring at your ring finger or your stomach and asking when “it” is going to happen? Well, one option is to get horizontal with several potential partners and hope your heart gets involved. That’s what McKendrick’s character Nellie (mid30F) does.
Nellie is flailing in a sea of weddings and baby showers, feeling her biological clock countdown with the impending doom of an atomic bomb. Her subsequent decision to freeze her eggs sets off a wild adventure in dating and family shakeups; a journey that’s about finding her path as much as it’s about scouting for a man. Going left of most rom-com, in Scrambled Nellie ends up romancing herself more than anyone else.
McKendrick allows her film to find its way through the complexities of modern relationships and the expectations placed on women to have an ideal life. (But ideal for who?) These issues roll out in a relatable way, making Scrambled a comfy—if not always satisfying—watch for anyone who has ever felt the pressure to “people please” everyone in their lives. A lot of women have said they were surprised by how emotional it is. And while I didn’t feel that same level of connection, I appreciate how open McKendrick is in sharing her own experience with freezing her eggs. That touchstone adds a layer of realness that gives the jokes and the emotions true aim.
Ego Nwodim gives my favorite performance as the confused and ‘terrifyingly-honest’ best friend. But the entire cast—including Clancy Brown and Andrew Santino as the father and son you want to slap into silence—add a sauciness to the movie. Those high levels of “awkward” and “raw” make this something fun for a night with your girls, your gays, and your bottomless glasses.
In the end, Scrambled is a reminder that sometimes what you’re looking for isn’t love, it’s the power to make your own decisions. Despite an ending that feels a bit like falling off a cliff when you didn’t see the signs, that sense of empowerment makes it worth the watch.
Today, Geek Girl Riot is also happy to announce that Scrambled has earned a SOFEE (Seal of Female Empowerment in Entertainment) from the CCA Women’s Committee. Leah McKendrick was over the moon and shared a few of her thoughts on the honor:
“Scrambled was born and raised in a village of many mothers. It’s a miracle ANY film gets made—let alone a first-time female director making a comedy about fertility! This honor from the Critic’s Choice Association affirms my belief that when women come together, they do not color by numbers. They challenge one another, strive for authentic representation of themselves and each other, and inspire a higher vision of the future. Thank you to my producer Gillian Bohrer and my cinematographer Julia Swain and all the women that gave their blood, sweat, and tears to this excruciatingly female film. I am forever indebted to them.”
