Cruel but Necessary

Cruel but Necessary is a 2005 independent film directed by Canadian actor/film director Saul Rubinek. Actress Wendel Meldrum took a turn as a screenwriter for this project.^[1] Meldrum stars in the film as Betty Munson, a woman struggling to put her life back together after her marriage falls apart. Betty decides to secretly videotape family, friends, and others to help understand the truth of her life. Meldrum's own ex-husband Mark Humphrey and son Luke Humphrey play her onscreen ex-husband and son.

Cruel but Necessary
Directed by	Saul Rubinek
Written by	Wendel Meldrum
Produced by	Elinor Reid
Starring	Wendel Meldrum Mark Humphrey Luke Humphrey
Cinematography	Steve Ackerman
Edited by	Chris Kern
Distributed by	Somerville House Critical Mass
Release date	June 7, 2005 (2005-06-07)
Running time	92 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Portions of Cruel but Necessary were posted on YouTube beginning in 2007. The film was released on DVD November 11, 2008.

Cast

• Wendel Meldrum as Betty Munson
• Mark Humphrey as Doug Munson
• Luke Humphrey as Darwin Munson
• Fred Goss as Chad
• James O'Connell as Teddy
• Julie Payne as Pearl
• Lisa Zane as Gynecologist

Awards

Outstanding Actress in a Female Role, Wendel Meldrum - 2007 Winnipeg International Film Festival.^[2]