Thelma

Watched the film at Sundance Film Festival. It's a really great film, super-funny, super-entertaining, but also with a great heart and a very interesting human exploration of the condition of elderly people. It is also very very tender. The writer/director was inspired by his grandma, and you get this love and tenderness towards the limtis and conditions of the elderly people. The action dimension is funny but realistic, and is played in reference and contrast to the Tom Cruise Mission Impossible franchise. I would say a Mission Impossible with a 93 unstoppable protagonist. Great acting, I liked especially Fred Hechinger, the grandson, and obviusly June Squibb, which ia absolutely great. Not surprised if June Squibb gets a nomination to the Oscars, or the Oscar itself.

This is the kind of movie that was popular in the 90's. A feel-good comedy clocking in at an hour and a half. No big action scenes, no CGI, no superheroes, no T&A, and ABSOLUTELY NO POLITICS. Pretty much the bane of modern audiences, but that's just fine because modern audiences have no taste.

The movie follows Thelma, a 93 year old woman who is conned out of some money. When she won't let it go, her family starts to worry about her living on her own, but her grandson has her back. She sets out to get what's hers, but instead of shooting a bunch of stupid action scenes with old people doing wirework pretending to do kung-fu, it keeps everything within the realities of what a 93 year old can do. The scenes presented as action scenes are done so for comedic effect. June Squibb and Richard Rountree (RIP) were great, Fred Hechinger reminds me sooo much of Joaquin Phoenix (which is a good thing), and Clark Gregg/Parker Posey are always good. I'm struggling to find anything negative to say, really. Maybe a little more Malcolm McDowell?

It's a quick, fun movie with some creativity, and it handles the challenges that the elderly face in a modern world very tastefully.

Watched this at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

"Thelma" isn't perfect but as a whole, it is a fun and entertaining movie about the lives of elderly people, issues of scam calls and family with fun energy, good direction and a wonderful performance from June Squibb. Director Josh Margolin does a pretty good job on blending comedic and dramatic elements together into the narrative with good humor, fun characters and interesting dynamics between the characters. Squibb's character was highly entertaining to observe and while the other characters were okay, I found each of the characters to have some decent chemistry and energy together.

The production is solid, the camerawork is okay, and the dialogue is pretty good, while some moments could be better. Margolin has a lot of fun references to Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible and he was able to add the jokes and references well into the narrative and action that is occurring in the movie. Although I did found the ending to be slightly anticlimactic and a little unrealistic, as a whole, the heart in the movie is strong and Margolin clearly put a lot of passionate into this project.

Fun movie to watch with friends and it really is sweet.

"Thelma" (2024) is a charming and heartwarming family film that stands out for its empowering portrayal of an elderly woman. June Squibb shines as the elderly character, delivering a performance that anchors the film with both warmth and humor. The film cleverly integrates jokes about old age, adding a light-hearted touch to its narrative.

Despite its strengths, the movie does have some drawbacks. The low-budget feel is noticeable, and the supporting actors do not leave a lasting impression. However, these issues do not overshadow the film's overall appeal.

The screenplay is well-written, offering a satisfying resolution and a story that celebrates the resilience and agency of its main character. Standout moments include when Thelma takes matters into her own hands, and the scene where she gets scammed by telemarketers. It shows that it can really happen to anyone at that age.

Overall, "Thelma" is a great choice for a family movie, providing a loving tribute to our elders and delivering a blend of humor and heartfelt moments. It's worth watching for those seeking a film that combines a reminder of loving respect for our Grandparents with a touch of humor.

"Thelma" gives June Squibb and the late Richard Roundtree the chance to deliver a couple of fun performances in the rare movie that prominently features elderly characters without patronizing them.

The central relationship in the movie is between a young man and his grandmother, but I saw a lot of my mom in the character of Thelma. She's 81 and in pretty good shape, the usual wear and tear issues of aging aside. She has mobility issues and has said that it would be tempting to sit on the couch all day and watch T. V., but she forces herself to stay active and independent. As a result, she's doing pretty well, and I know that if she had the choice between getting out and about and running the risk of getting injured or overdoing it vs. Wasting slowly away from a sedentary lifestyle, she'd say bring on the risk. I don't blame her, as I think I'll feel the same way.

"Thelma" nails what it's like to be children trying to care for an elderly parent. You want to let them be independent, but you also know that anything that happens to them as a result is going to fall on you to handle, so you do things for them instead and caution them against trying to do too much themselves. But then you're taking away the very thing that is helping them stay sharp and healthy, even though you mean well. It's a crappy position to be in, and it's no wonder that studies show people in their 40s have the least life contentment of any other decade.

On the other hand, I could not relate at all to the helicopter parenting of the characters played by Parker Posey and Clark Gregg in this movie, as that isn't how I parent at all.

Grade: A-