Vivian Kerr’s Scrap opens in a very interesting setting. A middle-aged woman wakes up in the backseat of her car, a little uncomfortable but unfazed. She nonchalantly brushes her teeth while going through her voicemails. Her hand moves in perfect motion, as if brushing in the backseat of the car has become a habit. Until we realize that living in her car is, in fact, normal for Beth (Vivian Kerr).

Having recently been laid off, the single mother has been struggling with her finances. The landlord has thrown her and her daughter, Barbara alias Birdy, out, forcing her to leave her daughter at her brother’s house. Every morning, Beth wakes up, eats some takeout, and shows up for job interviews. While Beth is well aware of her situation, we sense little remorse or panic for a single mother who is living in her vehicle. On the other end, her brother Ben (Anthony Rapp), a successful writer, and his attorney wife Stacy (Lana Parrilla) are considering a third round of IVF. The couple is very much in love but is struggling to come to terms with their reality. 

Among Beth, Ben, and Stacy, we see conflicting issues pertaining to parenthood but in a light, enjoyable way. This is Scrap in a nutshell. The 114-minute film is a joyride about a sibling relationship that has several serious issues layered in the plot but dealt with precision. Motherhood and mom guilt emerge as one of the most prominent themes in this film. While Beth pretty much questions the existing ideals of who can be called a good mother, Stacy finds herself questioning if at all she wants to be a mother. Between them, it is Ben who has to mend the dynamics with the women while also finding his original voice as a writer. 

Kerr’s characters are interesting, and the premise has been intricately woven such that the plot takes its own sweet time to move forward, but it isn’t boring at any point. She has beautifully laid out the conflict of her characters, thus making them relatable. The film also tackles childhood trauma and sibling rivalry in a mature and nuanced manner. We see the best and the worst of Beth and Ben. Their conversations range from funny and sweet to nostalgic to indignant within minutes. They go back to the places they had their earliest birthday parties and play songs that take them back to their childhood. But then they shout and bellow and pass comments but are always the first ones to be there for each other. 

Scrap is an enjoyable film that balances the issue at hand with sensitive, light treatment. It is hilarious at parts further accentuated by strong performances by all cast members. It’s a deep dive into homelessness, sibling dynamics, and routine issues that often compound into bigger predicaments. 

Scrap will not leave you disappointed. 

Review Courtesy of Anjani Chanda

Feature Image from ‘Scrap’ by Vivian Kerr