Poms - La grande compétition

Poms- my Review Rating 6.5

After seeing Diane Keaton's last romp with the sisters film "Book Club "and loathing it I was reluctant to see another peppy feel good chronologically challenged "women's movie" or men's movie after the horrible recent " Swimming With Men movie" but this was much better ?

I just can't resist Jacki Weaver,possibly Australias most underrated Hollywood export ever who has forged ahead with a fabulous Hollywood career since Animal Kingdom and Silver Linings Playbook which earned her 2 Oscar nominations.

I remember her from many stage performances in Australia like Born Yesterday and They're Playing Our Song." We don't often get to see her great sense of comedy.( in fact I remember her as a pop diva on Australian bandstand singing hits like My Boy Lollipop 🍭

In this film which she steals from Diane Keaton with her natural comedic talent she plays Sheryl a heart of gold rough diamond who befriends the sad scared (Want to be left alone Martha ) after she sells up her home and moves to a retirement community to die. They form a cheerleading club Poms and have a lot of fun and connection to other elderly women on the way. Yes it's another Let's Put on a Show and show em movie with a lightweight script but it has some very funny moments .

It's not a film for young people but unlike Book Club if has a heart . Its not a great film a little silly and sentimentality times but we enjoyed it . It certainly doesn't deserve some of the awful reviews I've read about it and as the couple in the lift said after the movie "wasn't it fun? So nice to go to a feel good movie "

and yes it was - Entertaining-

I took my mom to this for Mother's Day as per her request, and fully expected a very hokey chick flick with zero plot, etc. To my delight it ended up being very funny, a bit of a tear-jerker at one point, and overall a cute movie that I'd probably watch again with my mom or girlfriends. I'd call it lightly empowering for females, especially senior women, and overall just really fun.

Too often lately ppl act as if movies should involve a lesson or a strong message instead of just being entertaining. This movie is about being entertained. And if one insists on needing a message then: seniors aren't limited by age. This movie was fun, campy, and fairly predictable but it was clear that the cast was having fun. Seeing them have fun and the antics that ensued caused me to have fun.

I went to the theatre to watch this just to keep my family company. I expected to be bored for an hour and a half. This is not an epic movie with an epic story. Doesn't have award winning roles or a genius comedy. But it has such a good vibe to it and somewhat of a lesson to be learned for both youngsters and the elderly. I had to give it a good rating. I enjoyed this way more than I ever thought.

The movie Poms directed by Zara Hayes makes one feel good to see a group of women older than 60 living their life with enthusiasm and helping each other to enjoy life. Diane Keaton as Martha is extremely pleasant and well suited for the role. Martha leaves NY and heads to Sun Sprngs,GA retirement community after she refuses treatment for her cancer. Martha decides to let cancer run its course till her end. Martha makes friends with Sheryl (beaming Jacki Weaver) and decides to do something fun in community. Martha does not tell others about her cancer diagnosis and encourages all to be active and get involved in cheerleading group. Rhea Perlman ( Carla from Cheers) as Alice and Phyllis Somerville as Helen have their own stories. Helen's son has control over her finances. The movie is about elderly women who still have a desire to live and not to be discarded just because they have sagging breasts . The movie is very pleasant and as always , Diane Keaton does good work. Needs editing. Not Oscar worthy but definitely makes one feel good to see life in all ages.