Being a grandmother is not the same for everyone, at all. Different ages, different health issues or few health issues allow persons to be more active than others. This is very different from just sitting in a rocking chair all day. In Josh Margolin’s directorial debut, Academy Award nominee June Squibb (Nebraska) stars as Thelma. She lives independently (not with relatives, nor in a “home” for elders) and despite the advanced age she has, she is very mobile and absolutely has full knowledge of her surroundings. She is a sharp individual and, like many others, has some challenges using computers. Her sweet young adult grandson, Daniel (Fred Hechinger, Fear Street), is more than happy to be her tutor when he stops by to visit. She is supportive of him and the anxiety he relates when he looks to his future life/career. Thelma also has her daughter Gail (Parker Posey) and son-in-law Alan (Clark Gregg) who are a phone call away should she need them.
In Margolin’s script, Thelma is going about her day at home when she receives a distressing phone call, allegedly from grandson Daniel who is in trouble and needs money. Scammers are known to prey on the elderly. She will do anything for Daniel and follows through with the request for cash. Soon thereafter she finds out from Daniel and his parents that she was taken for her money. Once at the police station and receiving little to no help, she is determined to get her money back. She avoids telling her family members, but she knows she has friends.
To fail to keep in touch with your friends frequently only brings the bad news that they are disabled or deceased and that can be demoralizing. That doesn’t stop Thelma from following through in her covert plan and seeks out Ben (Richard Roundtree, Shaft). Ben is surprised by the sweet and unexpected visit to his retirement community, but soon learns she wants to use his very cool and racy scooter. There are plenty of reasons for the audience to have laughed up to this point, but if not, the audience will have some laugh out loud moments when these two are on screen together. See it to believe it, as I don’t want to spoil any of Thelma’s adventures now.
Thelma seems to watch Tom Cruise action movies. Do you know how you see a commercial or video of someone doing a stunt and there is a warning of “Do Not Attempt” across the screen? She is so determined to get to the crook and get her money, just like that, like Tom. Well, there is a reason for the warning. No matter how many challenges they encounter on their excursion that takes them to a store front with questionable individuals in the “back room,” including Malcolm McDowell, Thelma does not back down. Ben absolutely has her back by this time, no matter how resistant he is at first.
There is a lot to say about 90 years of lived experience and learning how to be resilient through whatever life brings your way. This is a very fun and heartwarming film to watch with an excellent cast that I highly recommend viewing. If you are a grandparent, it won’t be hard to understand the feelings that Thelma has for Daniel and how he adores her as well.
MPA rating: PG-13 (for strong language), Running time: 1:37 and opens in theaters on Friday, June 21.
Source: Magnolia Pictures
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