Thelma
Thelma is playing in theaters at the time of writing. Rated PG-13. Common Sense says 12.
Thelma (June Squibb) is a sweet grandmother who spends her days knitting and fawning over her slacker grandson, Daniel (Fred Hechinger). One day she’s conned out of $10,000. Will she find the scamming scumbags who took her money? Or will her over-protective family find her first?
STORY: B+
Pour senior citizens into a bowl. Add one tablespoon of totes adorbsness, a few dashes of Mission Impossible, and one can of cold hearted revenge.
The script could have been pandering, condescending to the elderly, stuffed with cheap laughs, or all of the above. It’s not.
Every single one of its many touching moments feels earned.
THE SCOOP: Check out Thelma’s IMDb page, here.
PEOPLE: A
June Squibb nails her long deserved first starring role.
Squibb’s performance is genuine and heartwarming, as is her wonderful partner in crime Ben (Richard Roundtree).
Hechinger’s Daniel is equal parts pathetic and sympathetic. An example of a perfect part finding the perfect actor.
Daniel’s parents (Parker Posey and Clark Greg) are over the top and the film’s true villains.
CAST PARTY: Check out CBS Sunday Morning’s interview with Jane Squibb, here. (6 mins)
FILM NERD STUFF: B+
The bedazzling, percussive soundtrack is essential.
The music unlocks a muscle memory within us that’s been formed by watching decades worth of MI movies. It turns an unassuming assisted living facility into a world of high intrigue and action.
The end credits sequence is pitch perfect and capped by an emotional clip. Don’t miss it.
DIRECTOR’S CUT: Check out The Hollywood Reporter’s interview with director Josh Margolin, here. (3 mins)
ELECTIVE CLASS (Maybe Fading Away Ain’t So Bad): B+
We never outgrow the desire to control our own lives.
We may not enjoy the ability to do everything we used to as we age, but that doesn’t mean it’s time for surrender.
Growing old gracefully doesn’t whittle down to a binary choice between being either fully independent or fully dependent. It means living your life to the fullest while you accept any support you’ll need.
FINAL COMMENTS:
Thelma is the feel-good senior citizen caper flick you had no idea you needed. It’s got suspense. It’s got pathos. It’s got heart.
So many movies these days make no secret about the fact that they exist simply to make a buck. This movie exists to enrich our lives. Young and old alike will stand up (as they are able) and cheer for Thelma.