For Better or “For Worse,” Amy Landecker’s Divorced Mom Film Is a Thoughtful, Good Time

Consider Amy Landecker a Renaissance woman. Not only did she star in the incredibly hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy, “For Worse,” but she wrote it, directed it and produced it (along with actor and producer Bradley Whitford). “For Worse” is a genuinely funny film about a sober, pre-menopausal mom/aspiring actor who is coming out of a divorce trying to focus on herself for once.

Bringing good rom-coms back to life

Landecker’s Lauren is so relatable. She covers up her pain with humor, cigarettes, and a bit of avoidance. Her bisexual best friend, Julie (Missi Pyle), is a delightful agent of chaotic good, pushing her friend to step outside of her comfort zone; if she trips, she’s got her. This friendship and the bond that Lauren builds with her mostly-Gen Z acting class are part of what make the film an instant rom-com classic.

The strongest detail of the film and why it excels more than most rom-coms are how real the characters feel. Often when queer people, marginalized folks, or older women are included in these kinds of films their characterization is paper-thin; they typically feel like outlines of people rather than anyone you’d actually meet. This is not the case with “For Worse.” Landecker allows her sapphic characters to breathe and exist and be weird without oversexualizing them or making jokes about their identities at their expense. She gives a peek into the life of perimenopausal moms, humanizing and centering Lauren’s struggles with being single and still wanting to fuck, because older women fuck too!

Genuine characters and relatable mishaps

Lauren’s complicated relationship with her ex-husband, Chase (Paul Adelstein), is a nice departure from the typical antagonistic post-divorce bullshit we always get. Her budding friendship and sexual tension with Sean (Nico Hiraga) would feel cringe with a less adept writer and director, but Landecker really handles this age-gap fuck buddy situation with a deft hand; never letting either person be in the wrong or right, they’re just humans who want to kiss. Hiraga is a delight to watch and not just because he’s painfully attractive. He plays the commercial-famous acting himbo role with an earnest and wide-eyed humor that audiences can appreciate.

The bulk of this film is centered around everyone going to a member of Lauren’s acting class, Maria’s (Kiersey Clemons), wedding to her wife, Justine (Briana Venskus). We meet so many people in Maria’s life and even though we only spend maybe 20-30 minutes meeting these folks, you feel like you’ve known them forever. The best example of this is the amazing and instant bond Lauren forms with Maria’s brother, Todd (Spencer Stevenson). He spends an extensive amount of time teaching her that feeling “cunnnnt” is different than being called an actual cunt. 

You can’t help but fall in love with Lauren as she navigates her new reality and tries to be the best parent she can be to her daughter, Lucy, who is a cutie patootie, she wants the kind of boyfriend for her mama that loves cats AND dogs. Child manifestations or not, Lauren definitely deals with some cracked eggs (Ken Marino’s Rick the magician is a deranged highlight) in the pursuit of a decent romantic partner. It’s all very honest and refreshingly real, even her sobriety is taken seriously but in a healthy, comical way. And while you can spot Lauren’s chemistry with Maria’s father, Dave (Bradley Whitford), coming from a mile away, there’s still fun surprises that lurk in their interactions and budding relationship. 

Final thoughts

“For Worse” is already a romantic comedy classic and more people should make it a priority to watch. Landecker wearing so many different hats could’ve led to a disaster, but she created a timeless, hilarious story instead. Every character feels lived-in and real, which makes for a satisfying and comforting way to spend your free time.

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