American film Jerry and Marge Go Large blends comedy and drama, directed by David Frankel and written by Brad Copeland. Jason Fgone wrote an informative Huffpost article about it in 2018.
The movie stars Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening in the lead roles and premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 15, 2022. You can stream the film on Paramount+ and Amazon Prime Video.
Jerry, a retired math teacher, becomes obsessed with playing the lottery and discovers a flaw he believes he can exploit. Excited by this opportunity, Jerry starts winning big and convinces fellow townspeople to join him in pooling their profits to revive a local jazz festival that had been canceled due to lack of funding. However, their success is threatened when a group of greedy Harvard students becomes their rivals, vying for the prize money.
Jerry & Marge is a classic sitcom that evokes nostalgia and familiarity through its tonal and semiotic elements. Supportive character arcs and comedic and emotional moments are highlighted by a well-crafted score. The sitcom also imparts lessons and surprises viewers with narrative twists. Despite its light and humorous atmosphere, Jerry & Marge delivers an enjoyable take on the traditional sitcom genre.
Jerry & Marge go large filming locations
Yellowstone National Park, USA
One of the prominent filming locations for Jerry and Marge Go Large is the stunning Yellowstone National Park. This iconic national park, located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and diverse array of flora and fauna. Filmmakers chose the park as a central filming location because of its stunning landscape and incredible vistas.
Las Vegas, USA
Another primary filming location for Jerry and Marge Go Large is the bustling city of Las Vegas. Known for its iconic neon lights, Las Vegas was the perfect backdrop for the film’s high-energy and fast-paced scenes. Filmmakers selected Las Vegas for its unique atmosphere and vibrant energy, which perfectly complemented the film’s comedic tone.
DeKalb County, Georgia
The cast and crew chose the beautiful north-central DeKalb County in Georgia as another filming location for this project. Specifically, they filmed in the stunning Stone Mountain Park, a scenic 3200-acre gem surrounded by the heritage Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad, one of the state’s most visited attractions. The park itself is an iconic destination, featuring an impressive rock relief.
Henry County, Georgia
During their journey through Georgia, the film crew made a brief stop in Henry County, located in the north-central region next to DeKalb County. They filmed in Stockbridge, a city within the Atlanta urban zone, where crucial scenes took place at W.D. Miller Store, a traditional rural general store transformed into a lottery shop for the movie.
Walton County, Georgia
The filmmakers also traveled to Walton County in north-central Georgia. This relatively uninhabited area provided a unique experience for the crew. They stopped in Social Circle, about 45 miles from Atlanta. The city gained popularity during the building of the Great Walton Railroad, earning its name when someone remarked that the locals were a “social circle” due to their friendly nature.
Atlanta, Georgia
Some scenes of the film were shot in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta is a vast city with people from different backgrounds and cultures, making it a unique place to capture on film. The crew traveled to various locations throughout the city and filmed inside local properties. Notable sites in Atlanta include the Centenary Olympic Garden and The World of Coca-Cola.
Is Jerry and Marge Go Large worth watching?
Whether Jerry and Marge Go Large is worth watching ultimately depends on your preferences. Here are some good and bad aspects to consider. On the positive side, the movie features a talented cast with solid performances from the lead actors. The cinematography showcases beautiful shots of the various locations visited by the characters. The plot is relatively engaging.
However, there are some negative aspects to take into account. The dialogue can sometimes be predictable and cliché, and some jokes fall flat. Additionally, the pacing can feel slow at times, and the overall tone of the film is relatively light and predictable.
