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. 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.