What Is Margot’s Got Money Troubles About?
If I said that Apple TV series Margot’s Got Money Troubles is a hilarious and touching feminist story, does that make you want to watch more or less? Now, for anyone who doesn’t drag their knuckles when they walk, you’re going to want to check this out.
Recent college dropout and aspiring writer Margot, the daughter of an ex-Hooters waitress and ex-pro wrestler, explores a new but somewhat controversial career to care for her baby. Although successful, she wonders if internet fame comes at too high a price. This eight-episode series stars Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, Nick Offerman, Greg Kinnear, Marcia Gay Harden, Michael Angarano, and Nicole Kidman.
And it’s based on the uber popular novel by Rufi Thorpe that was created then for Apple by TV stalwart David E. Kelley. And to help get you invested show, the first three episodes drop at once. Now, while most of the show is made up of 30-ish minute episodes, the first one feels much longer than all the rest. And I don’t say that as a negative.
The premiere episode does a ton of the heavy lifting to not only introduce us to all the characters, but to also get us into the headspace of Margot, showcasing her writing talent, her stable but somewhat dysfunctional family life and support system, and then what leads to her pregnancy. And I’m not talking about sex. I mean, because, you know, spoiler, that’s how most pregnancies happen. Not always, but still. Now, Elle Fanning, she’s excellent in this, giving us a persona who alternates between confidence, hopelessness, exasperation, undying determination, heartbreak, rage, and then self-assurance.
And the role also requires her to showcase a lot of nudity at the start, with most of it being non-sexual in nature. Now, the naturalness of the situations creates an excellent framing for body positivity while working to remove the antiquated stigma of women’s breastfeeding. And there’s this realness to her reactions, sometimes making us laugh, but at the same time creating this bond with the character because we become endeared to her struggles. Fanning gives Margot this fierceness that isn’t or any other term that would denigrate both character or women in general, but she stands up for herself and pushes back in strong ways, showing both her tenacity and resolve as well as dedication to being a mom. To round out her parental influences, we’ve got Pfeiffer as her mom and Offerman as her dad, and both are larger than life in the best ways.
Pfeiffer, while being very self-sufficient and independent, is also the unexpected antagonist to the feminist viewpoint. She’s always concerned for her daughter, but the character also uses shame and guilt to attempt to shape Margot into how the world wants to see women, demure, going with the flow, generally respectable. She’s more concerned with how her circle is going to react to Margot’s pregnancy and then her chosen line of work than she is with lifting Margot up and congratulating her ingenuity and fortitude. And interwoven throughout this is this morality play as well, taking a look at traditionally frowned upon situations and then shining a modern light on them, allowing for the complexities and nuances to be examined and explored to gain this fuller and newer understanding rather than deeming something just inappropriate or disgusting simply based on conjecture. And don’t get me wrong.
I mean, Pfeiffer isn’t a full-on antagonist within the plot. She’s just not the fully supportive right from the start character that you might expect. And then as a surprising contrast, Offerman is the unexpected champion of the feminist perspective, championing Margot’s pursuits and then supporting her choices with eventual understanding and pride. And I say eventual because there is a quick growth arc that he needs to experience, but it’s done in a way that feels earned natural. Now, as the ex-pro wrestler dad, Offerman channels a lot of similar characteristics that he portrayed in his Emmy-winning performance in The Last of Us.
He’s got this tough and rough-looking exterior, but inside it’s just mush of a lovable person, someone who is humble enough to recognize all of their faults but still approaches life and others with grace and tenderness. I mean, that is unless you mess with his daughter, then that’s a whole different kettle of fish. The series is a mix of hilarious and touching. While several scenes hit me in the feels, the final episode brought tears to my eyes. I mean, it’s both stressful and beautiful, continuing the theme that’s present throughout the series of family bonds, love, and then life’s ongoing struggles.
But what remains true throughout the story is the steadfast determination of Margot, given passion and strength by Fanning in an enveloping way. Now, the pacing for the series, it’s fairly quick once we get past that initial episode, and the rest it just kind of flies by, which I think can also be an issue if you’re watching week to week because it’s going to be over and done with before you’re ready. Now, I appreciate the emotional arcs we’re shown and experienced over the course of the eight episodes. And while the majority of the story does revolve around Margot, there are some offshoots that tie in thematically while allowing the other characters to take the lead. Margot has a roommate who’s pretty much the dream roommate anybody would want.
She’s supportive, encouraging, dependable, emotionally strong and stable, also creative. Vella Lovell Gram is this joy to watch, especially when she’s in her cosplay. Not only are the outfits that were just great to see, but she shares a few moments with Nick Offerman that will pierce the heart in both their honesty and their compassion. Greg Kinnear plays the fiance of Pfeiffer, and I love how their dynamic works as a contrasting counterbalance to Margot’s life. While the relationship is supportive and somewhat healthy, Pfeiffer believes that she has to constrain her true self, leading to a stifled and shut down version that’s not wholly satisfying.
The difference between how she looks at her situation and happiness versus how Margot does, it’s stark and glaring. One is forcing the smile, while the other can be genuine across the board. And amongst all of the frustrating interactions that we watch between Kinnear and Pfeiffer, there was one story element that sort of leaves us hanging. And maybe that’s how the novel is as well, not fully giving us closure on all the relationships because this is Margot’s story. And as long as we can see a satisfying trajectory for her life, the rest can fall into place as it needs to.
Now, I think the largest shortcoming in the show is the episode lengths and then the time we get to spend with the characters. I do appreciate that this doesn’t drag out, nor does it feel as though it’s skipping chunks of information in favor of expediency. But I was so engaged with the plot, the relationships, the comedy, and the heartbreak, and just the characters in general, that I would love longer episodes, just to escape into their world and see where their lives take us. But that also goes back to what I said just a second ago. This is Margot’s tale.
Rest is just bonus. So, overall, Margot’s Got Money Troubles is a touchingly impactful character study on the strength and struggles a young mother faces while trying to make it in this world amidst challenges from family, finances, perceived morality, and career. Elle Fanning expertly captures the joy, elation, grief, exasperation, and exhaustion, and then the tenacity that make her character captivating and relatable. The supporting cast is equally as engrossing, building a community that’s both loving and flawed. While story elements are designed to create frustration and disdain, the overall tone of the series is charming and uplifting without shying away from realistic scenarios.
It’s refreshing to see a show that works to reverse the narrative on what a woman can or should be, illustrating that no one is less of a parent simply because of the work they do. There’s a lot of sex, a ton of nudity, a lot of profanity, and then some violence. I give Margot’s Got Money Troubles 4 and 1/2 out of five couches. Apple just continues to shine with its series. You really ought to give this one a go.
Okay, what are you binging right now? I am almost done with my first time watch of Peaky Blinders. I’m loving it so far. But let me know what you’re watching in the comments below.
