Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Jerry & Marge Go Large Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 17, 2022

What is treasure? Is it a number on a piece of paper, or is it friends, family, a helping hand, and making the most of an opportunity? Director David Frankel (Marley & Me, Hope Springs) resoundingly answers that question in Jerry and Marge Go Large, a sweet and simplehearted Paramount+ original film, loosely based on a true story, about how money changes everything -- in this case, for the better. This is a refreshing take on the "windfall" genre, about people who come by their money through a loophole but use it for good. Money frees them rather than corrupts them, which seems to be the exception to the rule in both Hollywood and in life. This is a film of simple pleasures that plays well and satisfies any and every itch for something low impact and sure to bring a smile to the face.

Jerry (Bryan Cranston) is on the verge of retiring from the cereal factory where he has worked since high school. He’s a numbers man. He understands numbers. He thinks in terms of numbers. And he’s so often distracted by numbers that he cannot see the faults and flaws that life is spelling out all around him. Retirement will be an adjustment for him, but when he discovers a flaw in a state lottery, he pulls $2,000 from savings and spends it on lottery tickets. He loses, but he has another mathematical revelation that he believes will lead him to a significant return on his “investment.” When he finally reveals to this wife Marge (Annette Bening) what he’s doing, he's surprised to discover that she’s all for it, hoping to use the opportunity for a reconnecting adventure with her husband. Jerry takes out another 8 grand on his hunch and wins 15 large. He wants to bet all of that on the next lottery, but the game is phased out. They will have to go from Michigan to Massachusetts in order to play the same type of game. They win again, and $16,000 becomes $21,000 becomes a major turn of events for the family, and their community. Jerry and Marge decide to invite many friends, family, and associates into the very legal and mostly transparent strategy so that everyone might benefit from this flaw in the lottery system.

Jerry and Marge Go Large is a sweet movie because it's a movie that is not about greed. It is about people. It is about helping people through tough times, being a good neighbor, and it speaks to the importance of kindness and the heart. Sure, there is some good old-fashioned avarice at work -- one character buys a Corvette with his portion of the winnings -- but for the most part the money actually changes these people for the better. It becomes a rallying cry for revitalization of the town, yes, but also a revitalization of the human condition. The money creates opportunity for positivity and creation, not negativity and destruction. The money actually affords Jerry the opportunity to reconnect with his semi-estranged son, not because of the money itself, but because the money, and some interactions with his son because of the money, reveal the truth to him that he was not the best father in the world. He wasn't necessarily a bad father, but neither was he a good father. That's something to love about this movie: it doesn't push extremes for the sake of drama. This relationship is strained, yes, and there are some hurt feelings, sure, but there is no overt hatred, either. The movie is very levelheaded and realistic in its depictions of people: flaws and all, but showing the good side, too, and more prominently than the bad, for once.

However, the movie does introduce a foil: a cocky, self-centered Harvard student who happens upon the same flaw in the system as Jerry and Marge, and he angles to exploit it out of sheer self-indulgence and greed. He is the antithesis of everything Jerry and Marge stand for, against all of the reasons they choose to exploit the system, and against all the essential humanity Jerry and Marge demonstrate in their gaming of the system. With the lottery system largely standing aside and allowing this to happen -- the movie shares that they are onto what is happening, but because they are also profiting, they choose to stand back and let it happen -- the film needed some sort of conflict to elevate the stakes a bit, and what is created is a brainy back-and-forth between the smart and smarmy student and the wise and levelheaded Jerry. It's a fun plot element that gives some traditional structure to an otherwise untraditional film that champions real, honest values over the biting and clawing and backstabbing that usually plays out in these sorts of movies.

Jerry & Marge Go Large Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Jerry and Marge Go Large was digitally photographed and translates exceptionally well to Blu-ray. This is practically a flawless image. It's largely noise-free, even in low light, and there are no other source or encode problems to note. The picture is clean and efficient, capturing detail with effortless command and complexity. Faces, clothes, and all of the various environments, from plush Harvard lounge areas to grimy liquor store and motel interiors present with all the clarity and complexity one could want from the movie. Color output is bold and holds to a pleasing neutral contrast. Primaries are vibrant, black levels are appropriately deep, whites are crisp, and flesh tones look fine. This is a rock-solid image from Paramount.

Jerry & Marge Go Large Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The film is obviously not highly demanding of its soundtrack, and the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless presentation certainly holds its own here. The film is primarily dialogue driven. The spoken word never misses a beat, presenting with all the essentials – prioritization, placement, and clarity – with faultless execution. Music is generally light but effectively clear and wide with mild surround integration. The track incorporates nice little atmosphere details in a diner at the 18-minute mark. Such niceties also translate to a cookout scene just a few minutes later, such as chirping birds and insects. The scene offers pleasing exterior ambience. There are a few more forceful surround content elements, such as when Jerry's truck speeds out of the motel at about the 74-minute mark, which represents probably the high point for audio engagement in the track. There's not much to this one, but it's just fine as-is.

Jerry & Marge Go Large Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Jerry and Marge Go Large includes no supplemental content. No DVD copy is included. However, Paramount has bundled in a digital copy code. This release ships with a non-embossed slipcover.

Jerry & Marge Go Large Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's nothing overly crass or harmful in Jerry and Marge Go Large. This is a sweet return to simpler moviemaking and storytelling times. The movie shows more of the good, rather than more of the bad, in people, which is a very nice change of pace. The performances work, the story is solid, and the movie is just a pleasure to watch. Parmount's Blu-ray is sadly featureless, but the video and audio presentations are solid. Highly recommended!