Scrambled

The first great comedy of 2024 has arrived, hopefully heralding the emergence of a fresh, funny voice who’ll have a long, successful filmmaking career.

Scrambled, the feature debut of writer/director/star Leah McKendrick, delivers a wealth of laughs, buoyed by deft observations on modern couple culture that should resonate with anyone who feels like a romantic outsider in today’s fast-paced dating world — or is grateful not to partake in single life.

As 34-year-old LA-based Etsy seller Nellie, McKendrick anchors each scene with witty one-liners and physical comedy, but her quest to freeze her eggs until an appealing potential father emerges also pushes the skilled multitasking performer to impressive dramatic lengths, and she’s just as skilled at conveying heartbreak as gut-busting humor.

McKendrick’s intelligent blending of tones — blessedly without even a hint of moralizing — keeps Scrambled cooking throughout its brisk 90 minutes and makes one hope we’ll see another triple-threat effort from her before too much time passes.

Grade: B-plus. Rated R. Now playing at Carolina Cinemark and Regal Biltmore Grande.

(Photo: Lionsgate)