The Rule of Jenny Pen – REVIEW

In a courtroom, a judge, portrayed by Geoffrey Rush as Stefan Mortenson, appears to be struggling during sentencing, showing signs of a stroke such as uncontrollable drooling and verbally abusing both the defendant and victim. This peculiar scene might lead one to assume it’s a documentary. However, this is just the beginning of “The Rule of Jenny Pen,” where striking humor and gravity coexist, a balance that can be challenging to achieve. The story takes a grim turn when another resident of the rehabilitation home for the elderly, also confined to a wheelchair, sets himself on fire.

As a cinema enthusiast, I’m finding myself drawn into a chilling tale where my own troubles are only the beginning. Living amongst a motley crew of residents, I can’t help but clash with the grumpy and seemingly dementia-stricken Dave Crealy (John Lithgow), who carries around a puppet named Jenny Pen. Rumors swirl that Amanda Holden’s husband was once in the running for the role of Crealy, but I can neither confirm nor deny those whispers.

However, my patience is truly put to the test when I’m forced to share a room with an ailing former rugby player named Sonny (Nathaniel Lees). The situation takes a darker turn as night falls, and I find Crealy in our room, tormenting Sonny and then shifting his twisted focus onto me.

Initially, Crealy’s micro-aggressions escalate into something much more serious for Stefan. Crealy exercises power over the residents through fear and abuse, while the staff appear to disregard what amounts to elder abuse. As Stefan grapples with his own physical decline, having spent a lifetime dominating others in a professional context, he decides to stand up against Crealy when it becomes evident that Crealy is manipulating the staff to continue his unchecked actions.

The film “The Rule of Jenny Pen” draws significant inspiration from the timeless tale of feuding seniors, “What Ever Happened to the Two Famous Actors?”, with Michael Douglas and John Lithgow taking the roles originally played by Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. This reimagining serves as a testament that our esteemed senior actors, known for their exceptional performances in their rich portfolios, can outshine the generic Gen X stars that studios are eager to promote. Michael Douglas delivers an outstanding performance as the cantankerous and somewhat unsympathetic former judge, while John Lithgow, a versatile actor, excels in both comedic roles and villainous parts, as demonstrated in films like “Cliffhanger,” “Shrek,” and the Brian DePalma classics “Raising Cain,” “Blow Out,” and “Obsession.

The movie, helmed and jointly penned by James Ashcroft, offers an engaging viewing experience, thanks to its powerful lead actors whose performances range from chilling to comical (Lithgow’s interpretation of ‘Knees up Mother Brown’ is a perfect example). However, the film The Rule of Jenny Pen, despite touching upon themes like gaslighting and elder abuse, might have been more impactful if it had delved deeper into darkness, leading to a more grandiose conclusion. Although there are hints at a rich backstory, this production primarily showcases two exceptional screen actors immersed in their characters.

Here’s The Rule of Jenny Pen trailer…..

2025-03-13 03:24

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