MADDIE’S SECRET – Review by Diane Carson
Maddie’s Secret tackles important issues but comes up short
First time writer/director John Early’s Maddie’s Secret presents an important issue in a poorly packaged, amateur effort that plays like a Hallmark television special. Casting himself (John Early) as the protagonist Maddie Ralph, the story begins with Maddie’s dishwasher job at Los Angeles’ Gourmaybe test kitchen segueing quickly to her social media success thanks to supportive husband Jake (Eric Rahill) posting her vegetarian creation. With six hundred thousand followers overnight, Maddie quickly gets promoted to recipe developer and on-camera presenter, inviting the ire of colleague chef Emily (Claudia O’Doherty).
Maddie’s co-dependent friend Deena (Kate Berlant) stands by Maddie in enabling ways, especially when Maddie’s mother Beverlee (Kristen Johnston) fires nonstop verbal insults Maddie’s way. More resourceful than Maddie, Deena attempts to alleviate Maddie’s stress through an exercise dance class. Eventually Maddie’s secret emerges: she suffers from bulimia nervosa stemming from long-standing emotional insecurity over her body. An inpatient treatment program follows with several other patients revealing their own dysfunctional behaviors. Demeaning their agency, most are physically unattractive, as though their problems define their appearance.
More tragedies follow, all contrived to deliver messages, most of them announced from a soapbox rather than emerging from a multidimensional narrative. In fact, throughout the film, two-dimensional characters lack the complexity needed for engaging or meaningful interaction. Zack is sweet, Beverlee is horrid, boss Zach is lecherous and obnoxious, the heavy black nurse is kind, the care facility manager is solicitous, etc. Pregnancy reservations are thrown in, and a session with Maddie’s monster mother Beverlee dredges up the childhood traumas visited upon Maddie, all in a four minute Freudian explanation of Maddie’s illness. Presto. Her emotional problems are all but solved.
To be fair, in press notes, writer/director/star Early sets out to perform a very difficult high-wire act. He describes Maddie’s Secret as “a pitch-perfect blend or satire, melodrama, daring tonal shifts and intimate performances.” He adds that wanting to revive the ingénue, he decides “to squeeze myself into the role of the ingénue. To wear my heart on Maddie’s chili oil stained sleeve.” Deliberately imitating fifties’ melodramas, it will please those who want to revisit that genre and mindset, with an ironic modern twist added, but not those of us who have moved on. Maddie’s Secret is at cinemas now.
