User reviews

Hollywood excels at putting beautiful young people on our screens, even if it means matching a young woman with a very older man as a love interest. It's long annoyed me but Hollywood don't listen to reviews.

This film is a delightful tale of 4 older people who all share a common history, and 2 of the surviving ones want to correct some of that history. The lengths they go to is absurd but very funny.

I always think of Lily Tomlin as a female Woody Allen and she never changes, she is always good. Jane Fonda remains beautiful and just as engaging on screen as she ever was. Malcom McDowell despite his age now still exudes the violent and threatening demeanour he displayed all those years ago in Clockwork Orange.

Not the best film of the year but a thoroughly enjoyable one, and a brilliant reminded that ageing actors can still give great performances.

It was a decent film. Almost like if Grace & Frankie had made a film themselves. It's not that great or groundbreaking on the drama side of things, but the comedy aspect of this dramedy is the silverlining of the film. Lily Tomlin shines and is easily the best part of the entire thing. Jane Fonda is servicable but, again, nothing groundbreaking or exciting from her. I liked the inclusion of Malcolm McDowell, he can be a welcome surprise sometimes and that is how I felt about him in this. The film did have some strange plotlines that felt out of place for the film and made the film drag in places. That's even with it's short 85 minute runtime, which still felt a bit long for this particular story. It was almost like the writers wrote this as an episode of a tv series and decided to expand it in a way that feels unnecessary. Overall, if you're a fan of the pair, you will at least find a bit of enjoyment. Fonda and Tomlin have a certain chemistry with each other and know how to play off each other very well.

3 murder attempts out of 5.

This is a terrific little black comedy that somehow flew under the radar. It's very slight - I like to call movies like this an appetizer - but what it does, it does very well. Black comedy is very tough to pull off, but this film does a splendid job of maintaining its bite while still allowing moments of emotion and humanity that never feel manipulative. It is not a politically correct movie, and many will balk at the origins of its humor, but that's what I personally appreciated about it. Both Fonda and Tomlin are great, and they've obviously honed their chemistry to an art form after their decades working together. One could rightfully call them the Lemmon & Matthau of today's cinema. They are a joy to watch here, together and apart, and Fonda is particularly radiant. There is also a fantastic, beautifully understated performance by Richard Roundtree as Fonda's ex-husband that exudes charm and elegance. This film succeeds in melding comedy and drama where many other, bigger movies have failed. Credit director and co-writer Weitz, who also directed Tomlin in one of her best performances in GRANDMA as well as the fantastic Hugh Grant film ABOUT A BOY. I encourage you to check this one out if you have the opportunity. It's a definite hidden treasure.

Stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in a wry black comedy/drama about secrets and revenge.

Fonda arrives in California for the funeral of an old college friend and sees the dead woman's husband which brings on bad memories of something (but we don't know what). Tomlin lives in a home and attends the same funeral and also has a bad reaction to seeing the husband (Malcolm McDowell). While Tomlin and Fonda renew their old friendship, the secrets start to emerge, and after Tomlin blurts out a big one at the wake it becomes obvious that they have a common enemy in McDowell.

While not laugh-out-loud funny, it's an amusing film and the chemistry between the stars is great. Richard Roundtree also appears as another old friend with a secret.

Ultimately, the film is about old wrongs, lost opportunities, and maybe even a little forgiveness before it's too late.

It's hard to believe it's been 63 years since Jane Fonda's big screen debut in "Tall Story", and her longevity has as much to do with her commitment to the characters she's played as it does to her innate talent in inhabiting them. Looking better here than in her other recent films like "80 for Brady" and "Book Club", she plays Claire, an eightysomething Ohio woman who flies to California to attend the funeral of one of her closest friends Joyce. Once at the wake, she confronts Joyce's widower Howard and asserts she will kill him that weekend for committing an unspeakable act a half-century earlier. The plot turns on this revelation into a prickly combination of melodrama and black comedy as Claire pairs with her long estranged friend Evelyn, a jaded lesbian cellist who fluctuates between supporting and rejecting Claire's monomaniacal mission. With Lily Tomlin in free-wheeling mode as Evelyn, they definitely have a lot of "Grace & Frankie"-type banter, but it resonates more here because both have repressed their feelings of deep-seeded resentment about how their lives had evolved. Richard Roundtree makes a welcome return as Claire's long-ago divorced first husband, and Malcolm McDowell makes Howard a venal character worthy of Claire's wrath. It doesn't all work, but it's good to see Tomlin and especially Fonda do such strong work thanks to Paul Weitz's dexterous direction and clever screenplay.

IN A NUTSHELL: If you're a fan of the popular TV show Grace & Frankie, you're in for more of the same goofy fun from this dynamic duo. Their chemistry together is undeniable and entertaining.

The story of this movie is about two old friends who reconnect at a funeral and decide to get revenge on the widower who messed with them decades before. The movie is written and directed by Paul Weitz.

THINGS I LIKED: Jane Fonda is usually dolled up to look much younger, but in this movie, she's starting to look her age. Of course, she's still beautiful. She's 85 years old and still pumping out movies like crazy.

Lilly Tomlin is always delightful and, truly shines in this movie. Together, they're reliably entertaining. What impressed me was not the actresses' comedic chops, because we already know they've got the funny bone in spades. The serious drama required them to stretch and show us they've still got it.

It was nice to see Malcolm McDowell in something again too. I always enjoyed his performances.

It's really great to see that aging stars can still find an audience in Hollywood.

I had to laugh at the special request for bacon from one of the characters. Mmmm...bacon.

The issues of aging is taken very seriously in this film; however, murder and revenge are not. Hmm...

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: The plot trudges along, shifting tone and pacing.

It's very dark with not much humor. When these two stars are paired together, we expect much more humor.

There are several scenes at night that will appear very dark if/when you watch this on a small streaming device.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: Kids will be completely bored since the movie is all about older people talking.

Talk of murder Two women try to purchase a gun in California Alcohol A woman encourages a young boy's desire to wear girls' clothes and jewelry.

A woman talks about her lesbian lover.

Profanity, including an F-bomb.

An unmarried couple sleeps together. (We don't see anything though.)

!

We spectators as voyeurs watch just another day in the life of these elder people trying to come together with their long suffering traumas caused by their upbringing and the right and wrongs that did in their life. Its something that one can reciprocate in most cultures of the world and most of us at some stage will identify with the different personalities presented in the film. Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin carry out their roles convincingly while Malcom Mcdowell role is not a demanding one and very easily can be carried by many actors of his age. Overall if you just like to devote 85 minutes of your time in watching what is happening on an average funeral get together all over the wold please do.

This film is done a huge disservice by being slotted into the "comedy" genre, but I'm disappointed to see people on this site rating it as though that miscategorization were a flaw of the film itself. It should be judged on its merits, as a realistic film with a lot of dramatic, painful moments amid the more humorous ones. Painful themes of homophobia, misogyny, and sexual violence are explored, but it never gets overly didactic-everything is grounded in storytelling, and the dark is offset by the light. If you want a zany screwball comedy, go elsewhere. But if you would like a really resonant film about female friendship, strength, and resilience that also happens to have some very funny moments, please treat yourself to this gem of a movie.

There's some strong sections in this film, just so people know what to expect. Its misleading to call this a straight comedy because it's not. Definitely not for young kids.

If you're looking for fairly recent Fonda, I'd go with "our souls at night" or the new baseball fan film she did, now that's a comedy.

It feels like an indie film not big budget and Fonda looks incredible for 84/85. Roundtree still looks great & still has the charisma even about 50 years after doing shaft.

Not much else to say, funny, heartwarming and sad in places, wouldn't watch again though, but too edgy for my pallet.

This movie is almost exclusively about old people and old relationships. Jane Fonda is the main star, she will be 86 before the end of this year, 2023. An old friend dies, Fonda's character has an old, 50-something year, grudge against the surviving husband, played by Malcolm Mcdowell. We have no idea what it is all about but we know she intends to kill him that weekend. And she tells him that. (All revealed in the trailer, no spoilers.)

So that is what this movie is about. Confronting and trying to settle old issues. Near the end of the movie all is explained, we understand why she feels so strongly, we sympathize with her feelings, yet we also know that murder is not the soultion to settling an old animosity.

Fonda plays the older woman on edge, a hair-trigger edge. Tomlin plays her character the opposite, live and let live, let old bygones be bygones. Mcdowell plays the old man very well.

In total there isn't much to this movie once it is all done and all is revealed. Yes, we can have great sympathy for Fonda's character but it makes you wonder "Why did she wait so long?"

In general, while neither of them are my favorites, I enjoy the acting of Fonda and Tomlin, I have seen them in so many roles, like Fonda in 'Barbarella' in 1968, that it is almost like I know them. I am glad I took the time to watch the movie, my wife chose to skip after she watched the trailer.

No comedy here. Not a single laugh. Lily Tomlin is the same as in Frankie and Grace. The movie includes lesbian, transgender, black, disabled etc characters in a check the boxes to make sure every group was represented. But, basically, while the movie addresses a serious and important issue, at no point is there a laugh.

The movie is 85 minutes long, but could have been a 30 minute episode of Frankie and Grace without losing any meaning. Moreover, it would have fit with both of their characters in that show.

Malcom McDowell and Richard Roundtree were fine, and a delight to see.

A rating of one is generous.

As an 80 year old living in a retirement community and looking atvthe edge of the end of my life this film had a lot of interesting and poignant plot points. Early love among college roommates that lasts a life time, a tragic incident that affects one for a lifetime and an unsettled grievance much more important to one party than another. Both lily Tomlin and Jane Fond were terrific and although there are comic moments, this is a serious film, talking about serious issues. There are several unusual twists that reflect current issues, and that lead to a surprise ending which I found quite satisfying. And although recently, Jane Fonda has been a purely comedic actor, this role has some very realistic, dramatic moments that support her as a true and believable, dramatic performer.

I gave this movie two stars solely because, no matter what you think of her, Jane Fonda at 80+ is till a really good actress. And she's still kinda hot.

But that can't save the horrible and sad performance of Lily Tomlin, who is roughly the same age, but really needs to retire. She delivers her lines in slow motion because if she speaks any quicker she slurs them as if she's been drinking. I doubt drink has anythng to do with it. It's old age and clogged ateries. Depressing.

Further, there is actually a random scene inserted early on where she grooms an utterage boi to become a trenkid. Who thought that was appropriate?

Let's move on...the movie is really slow. It goes out of the way to tick as many boxes as possible and that makes it a Debbie Downer.

This could actually have been a funny dark movie, but it turns out it's just more crap from Hollywood.

How was I watching this for the first time today without even realizing it was Lily Tomlin's birthday until I went to Twitter and saw her trending?! It's true! I'll never understand how this stuff happens, but Lily must have sent me a telepathic signal telling me to watch this in honor of her special day. Thanks, Lily!

I really like, maybe even love, this movie! Even though it's very serious in parts, it manages to take some of the most serious subjects, and one of the darkest plans a person could have, and turns it into something pleasant to watch for the most part! So in that way, this movie really is a wonder. Jane Fonda was great, but Lily - I loved her character! I mean I really loved her character!

The only real downside to this movie is that I couldn't stop seeing them as Grace and Frankie throughout. But other than that, this is one of the best buddy movies of recent times. A new fave. And if you can believe it, even though it's a movie about a woman planning to kill a man for his wrongdoing in the past, there's a lot of heart to this film - a lot of sweetness and touching moments.

This is a movie that I would say is not for everyone, but those that it is for, will appreciate it a lot!

Happy birthday, Lily! Thank you for all the great entertainment!

I think Lily and Jane they must be desperate for work. Jane had lost her acting skill or just doesn't care. Not sure Lily ever had any acting skills. I don't see what is so humorous about telling children and grandchildren their father and grandfather they love is a jerk. The plot of the movie was honestly beyond stupid.

I did find Jane's dogs acting very good. Lol I love a good comedy but these girls keep making movies that get more and more stupid. I honestly don't see why they keep making them. Who is watching. No one I know. This is the last one I try that they have made. Please call it a day Lily and Jane.

This is a movie for those of us who get it. Very entertaining (always with Fonda and Tomlin) and very satisfying. But for those many women who've been where Fonda's character is, the movie is empowering and gratifying. Gratifying in the way that Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was. Sometimes emotional catharsis isn't literal! In addition to the main plot, there is a lot of nuance to how we elders come to terms with our lives, contrasted beautifully with the very different life stages of the younger characters, both adult and children. I hope Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin make more films together--we need these wise women!

I dont think I have the patience to rewrite.

There are some nice moments, some shumltzy, over sentimental, to be expected. Shows what life is like in your 80s. But the two women & the 2 men. All live comfortably. Lilly, widowed from her wife, no kids, alone, but Living comfortably in a nice private assisted living apartment, has a pension.

She couldnt keep up her house, which is really too much for a single 80+ yr old With limited income. So for me, not a loss that she no longer has her house.

Many, most Seniors, depend on Social Security, live in poverty, barely managing. If you can maintain an apartment, or house mortgage, there is assistance to manage. If you are homeless, not so much. The gov't supported assisted living is limited, not enough.

So while they show some of the challanges of aging, it is a narrow statement. But a movie cannot be all things to all people.

Lilly 84, 83 here, & Jane 85, 84 here, walk without a cane, Jane seems to be able to bend their knees, & step up & down. As do the 2 men. Many of us live to 100, or almost. But few have that much mobility. Great for Lilly & Jane.

As this is mentioned in synopsis, & reviews, I wont take it as a spoiler. Malcolm is still telling himself, his drunken rape of Jane, his late wife's best friend, 45 years ago, was consential sex and she wanted him. Typical. As an alcoholic. Does he know? He ruined her life which affected her marriage. No longer living in the state, she reconnects with her ex husband.

Some doesnt make sense. Why when Malcom, on brinf confronted, seems to have a heart attacj. Its mirw a psnuc attack. But rsther thsm murder him, she calla for help. In the end, she doesnt kill hum, so we can contnue to likw hwr. But he is hit by a car trying to avoid her, & dies. 80, recently widowed. He ia never remorseful.

I was expecting this to be a dark comedy based on the description and the collaborative history of the two main actresses.

I found it to be neither.

It's more of a light drama. The title is somewhat ironic because the characters here are largely unable to move on from events in their past. It's these unresolved issues that drive the plot of the movie.

Lily Tomlin's customary sarcasm is missing its edge. Only one line really landed for me.

Jane Fonda is almost unrecognizable under a mane of silver hair and behind owl-ish glasses. However, she still looks fabulous for a woman in her mid-80s. She's proof I guess that cosmetic surgery in moderation can be a good thing.

And, it was nice surprise to see the original Shaft, Richard Roundtree, in one of his last roles

The movie mostly just treads water with conversations between the main characters. There's not much action or emotional fireworks here to see.

The ending though IS dark and not in a good way I felt, although it's clear that the audience is supposed to be laughing along with the characters on screen.