Margo’s Got Money Troubles (Apple TV+) 

By: Rachel Brodeur

Money problems are perhaps the most relatable problems out there; almost everyone has had moments in their lives where they had to budget or stretch to pay a bill. In Margo’s Got Money Troubles Apple TV does what it does best in creating a heartfelt comedy that blurs the lines into drama by taking unflinching looks at raw unfiltered emotions. 

Margo, played by Elle Fanning (Super 8, The Great) is a young college student navigating typical dramas of roommates and school, but then she faces an unexpected circumstance that leaves her in a financial crisis. Creator David E. Kelley, who brought audiences Ally McBeal (1997) and Big Little Lies (2017) does not leave Margo’s Got Money Troubles in the world of the ordinary. What makes Margo’s world so dramatic and compelling are her parents. Hollywood legend Michelle Pfeiffer (Batman Returns, Dangerous Minds) plays Margo’s mother. In brilliant casting, Pfeiffer is an image-obsessed parent who wants to be friends with her adult daughter more than a mother to her, yet she remains multifaceted and surprisingly vulnerable at times. Pfeiffer is able to bring the complexity to the character that in less-skilled hands would be a caricature of a narcissist and make her into a likeable figure. 

The father figures in Margo’s life are also noteworthy. Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation), known for his comedic straightman roles, plays her former pro-wrestling legend and estranged father. He brings humor and heart to the character as he plays against Greg Kinnear (As Good as It Gets), her mother’s new partner, a man that is so conservative and religious it makes The Simpsons Ned Flanders look edgy. With adults like this around her, Margo takes agency and is an expert in her own life as she navigates a complicated sexual awakening.

The casting sets Margo’s Got Money Troubles apart. Some of the plot is a satirical stretch, the events a bit exaggerated, but it is the acting that lends nuance and emotion to the series. It is because of those dynamic characters that the raw emotions and struggles of parenthood and womanhood and overt sexuality are not lost in the comedy. Margo’s Got Money Troubles has no trouble when it comes to charm. 

Rachel’s Rating: 6.5/10

Margo's Got Money Troubles follows a young woman whose life is upended by mounting responsibilities, forcing her to navigate adulthood under increasingly complicated circumstances. Anchored by a standout ensemble cast, the series finds humor and poignancy in messy family dynamics, personal growth, and self-discovery.