Mack & Rita [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray]

Director: Katie Aselton Katie Aselton

Overview

Mackenzie can't wait to get older. The thirty-something woman is already tired of the busy rush of youth and wishes she could fast forward her life so she can relax and enjoy her golden years. When Mackenzie is struck by lightning at Coachella, she wakes up as the seventy-year-old Rita. She soon realizes old age is not as whimsical as she thought. Starring Elizabeth Lail, Diane Keaton, Taylour Paige, and Simon Rex.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/18/2022
UPC:	0031398336747
Original Release:	2022
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	Lions Gate
Language:	English
Sales rank:	30,384

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Diane Keaton	Rita
Elizabeth Lail	Mack
Taylour Paige	Carla
Loretta Devine	Sharon
Dustin Milligan	Jack
Aimee Carrero	Sunita
Addie Weyrich	Ali
Simon Rex	Luka
Lauren Beveridge	Molly
Catherine Carlen	Grammie Martin
Annie Hamilton	Influencer
Sara Amini	Michelle
Wendie Malick	Actor
Martin Short	Actor
Patti Harrison	Actor
Lois Smith	Actor
Nicole Byer	Actor
Amy Hill	Actor
Janice Blue	Marie Antoinette Lady
Mark Kelly	Lyft Driver
Katherine Liv	Influence
Ayla Rae Neal	Young Carla
Paige Locke	Bachelorette
Monica Cueto	Influencer
Mateo Montez	Bar patron
William Lott	Luca Look-Alike
Bogdan Szumilas	Bar Patron
Victoria Gale	Bridesmaid
Ronald Douglass	Diner
Alex Saks	Composer
Leo Birenberg	Composer

Technical Credits

Madeline Walter

Paul Welsh

Madeline Walter	Screenwriter
Katie Aselton	Director
Brett Beveridge	Executive Producer,Executive Producer
Jean-Luc De Fanti	Executive Producer
Terry Dougas	Executive Producer
Paris Kasidokostas Latsis	Executive Producer
Joseph Panebianco	Executive Producer,Producer
Joseph Restaino	Executive Producer
JoJo Ryder	Executive Producer
Stephanie Heaton	Producer
Diane Keaton	Producer
Dori A. Rath	Producer
Alex Saks	Producer
Paul Welsh	Screenwriter
Jackie Shenoo	Executive Producer
John Straley	Executive Producer
R. Sierk	Executive Producer

Editorial Reviews

Katie Aselton (The Freebie) steps into the director's role for Mack & Rita, a comedy from Brooklyn Nine-Nine writers Madeline Walter and Paul Welsh. The film is entertaining and sometimes humorous but won't change anyone's opinion about life, aging, or knowing oneself as the authors seem to want. Mack (Elizabeth Lail) is caught in a life that never fits her, longing to do things more suited to her elders. While her friends want to party, she'd rather have a nice nap. So when her best friends want to attend a concert, Mack chooses regression therapy. But instead of coming out of it more in touch with her true self, she comes out as she sees herself - a 70-year-old woman. With commitments to her writing career and her best friend's wedding, Mack must pose as Rita (Diane Keaton) until she can change back while discovering what it's really like to be in the body she thinks fits her. The film is entertaining but light fare, and it relies more on Keaton's acting skills than on a consistent script from Walter and Welsh. All the situations feel like repeats; there are holes in the story and conversations and situations that never quite seem complete. The film's message - just be yourself - is delivered more like a hammer blow to the forehead than a growing realization. Aselton's direction is good but never seems to draw exceptional performances from any of the supporting cast. Fortunately, Keaton's ability keeps the film moving along, with all the other players revolving around her whenever she's on the screen. Her ability to transform an uncomfortable line into bearable and a good line into hysterical is terrific. The settings are unconvincing - everyone either lives in a multi-million-dollar mansion or right at the line of poverty with no in-between. The converted warehouse Mack and neighbor Jack (Dustin Milligan) live in looks like a warehouse hastily converted into a movie set to be a living space. The camera work is shaky at times, creating a dizzying effect. Unlike other technical aspects of the film, the soundtrack fits right in with the scenes. Whoever chose the songs knew precisely what to pick for each situation. Mack & Rita is light comedy popcorn fare that is sometimes endearing, with humorous and touching moments. Still, without Keaton, the film would quickly become forgettable because there is little to set it apart from similar stories or situations. It isn't regressive to the genre but won't age well, either.