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'Scrap' Review: A Relatable and Honest Story of a Single Mother Navigating Through Life

Scrap
📷 Anthony Rapp & Vivian Kerr - Scrap
By Romey Norton - January 16, 2025
 

Written and directed by Vivian Kerr, the film Scrap is an emotional insight into a mother's struggle and journey of self-discovery. The film has many themes surrounding relationships, societal and internal pressures, being a parent, and IVF's hardships. Scrap stars Anthony Rapp, Vivian Kerr, Lana Parrilla, Khleo Thomas, Beth Dover, Brad Schimit, and Julianna Layne who all give excellent performances.


The story is simple and easy to follow. Single-mum Beth (Kerr) struggles to hide her recent and unexpected homelessness from her brother and sister-in-law after she’s laid off from work. Beth tries to piece her life together to maintain her successful, middle-class lifestyle in Los Angeles before her brother Ben (Rapp) figures out what’s been going on. Meanwhile, Ben and his wife Stacy (Parrilla) consider a third round of IVF, and Stacy, a successful attorney, must re-evaluate her conflicted relationship with motherhood.

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📷 Khleo Thomas & Vivian Kerr - Scrap

Kerr does a great job of portraying a struggling single mum, with honesty and more comedic value than I anticipated. When the film begins with Beth being homeless in her fancy car buying Starbucks, really does show a person who is in denial and detached from reality. Beth’s problems continue as she struggles to navigate her life, existence, and future.


When watching you might question why she didn’t just be honest with her seemingly helpful brother, but you have to go with the flow and understand that Beth’s character is about maintaining her status, ego, and pride. Kerr does well in making this believable and as a viewer, you will question her actions and flit between disliking her when she’s acting childish and feeling sorry for her when you remember the world is not set up to make things easy. She also has a trashy ex who comes back to make things worse.

Beth’s character is completely flawed and it’s annoying how much of an afterthought her daughter is to her. There was an opportunity here to have much more conflict and showcase the harsh realities of being a single parent in her situation. However, the film opted for a more gentle approach to these themes of parenting and relationships.


The continuously building backstories give the script richness which the actors help showcase. Each actor completely commits to their role and has believable chemistry on screen. Kerr and Rapp are undeniable as brother and sister and have a wonderful on-screen notable connection and tension. Lana Parrilla has some strong emotional scenes, and her assertive character sees the most development.

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📷 Vivian Kerr - Scrap

What lets the film down is the pace. The pace of the film is a little slow, as we’re waiting for what Beth is planning next, and at times I needed more angst and action to drive the story and character development along. It takes too long for her brother to find out the truth, and even when he does there are no repercussions, no accountability.


However, Scrap is nicely shot, with clear lighting, clean closeups, and an array of filming locations. So its overall aesthetics are to an extremely high standard.


With a predictable but sweet ending Scrap is entertaining and easy to watch. With compelling acting and a soft, sentimental side, it tells a relatable and honest story of a single mother navigating the harsh realities of life.


Available now on digital platforms

 
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