Thelma

Thelma is about the indomitable human urge to keep going and the hard-won wisdom to know when to heed time’s warnings. It’s a movie that rages against the dying of the light — at 30 mph.

This is a feel-good comedy bordering on farce, but [Squibb] makes every scene and every line so natural that when you laugh, you’re reacting to genuine humor, not calculatedly constructed punch lines.

Writer-director Josh Margolin, making his feature debut, based the eponymous character on his grandmother. The script, accordingly, is never patronising.

Its observations about the disconnect between its elderly protagonist and the society around her are surprisingly relatable.

The most adorable “action” pic of the summer is a senior citizen’s caper comedy that’s novel enough and clever enough that the fact that it also has something to say is merely the cherry on top of the cinematic sundae.

The film reflects on issues of aging and autonomy with a mostly light touch, its protagonist making a strong case for the enduring spirit of elderly folks too often infantilized by both society and their loved ones.

Thelma may bill itself as an unconventional action movie, but it’s more of a sitcom, really.

This movie isn't just for old people. It literally has something for everyone. You laugh you get your heart touched and you learn things. It's about the human experience and not just the experience of old people.

IN A NUTSHELL: When 93-year-old Thelma Post gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, she sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her. This delightful film was directed and written by Josh Margolin. The story is based on Josh’s real grandmother! Keep good ones like this coming, my friend! Already, it has won 5 awards from several film festivals. Well deserved! THINGS I LIKED: June Squib is absolutely terrific in this. June is 94 years old in real life and is doing great! I love that she’s still making movies and definitely seems to be having a blast. It would be so cool to watch her get nominated and even win an Oscar at her age! She had done a lot of stage work but really didn’t get into film until age 60! This is her first leading role and she crushes it! What a career she’s having! The rest of the cast is also really great and includes Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree, Parker Posey, Malcolm McDowell, and Clark Gregg. Sadly, Richard Rountree died last year from cancer. He was only 81. The older I get, the younger that sounds! Every scene is so doggone funny and adorable. The humor is spoken, visual, and often physical. I was completely charmed during the entire movie. While the movie is extremely funny, it also includes very touching and insightful moments about aging and family dynamics. The musical score is a lot of fun. I adore the Tom Cruise Mission Impossible movies, so I loved the shout-out, as well as June Squibb’s character’s attempt to have an impossible mission, herself, including a very slow “chase scene” with scooter chairs. All of the “action” is definitely age appropriate and believable. It was nice to hear Richard Roundtree’s character describe his nursing home in such positive terms. It was great that he was taking advantage of all the activities his nursing home offered, including instructions on how to help someone up who has fallen down. I remember the day when my mother could no longer get herself up when she fell out of her bed. Moving elderly parents into a nursing home is such a difficult decision to make. With so many Baby Boomers getting older, I hope we’ll see more charming movies like this so we appreciate them more and so they have films they can relate to. THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE: Nothing. I really enjoyed every minute. TIPS FOR PARENTS: Some profanity A gun is used Thieves still money from unaware old people Some people get into dangerous situations

When a 93 year old Grandma gets scammed out her money, she decides enough is enough and decides to right this wrong and prove she still has what it takes to live on her own. The film stars June Squibb (Thelma), Richard Roundtree (Ben), Fred Hechinger (Danny), Parker Posey (Gail), Clark Gregg (Alan) Bunny Levine (Mona), and Malcolm McDowell (Harvey). I found the film to be cute, heart warming, and sort of funny. To be honest I was expecting more. The characters of Gail and Alan were almost annoying and corny. But I really like the chemistry between Thelma and Ben which more than made up for the films missteps. The Director/Writer Josh Margolin of this flick did do a good job putting on a light hearted spin to an awful thing that happens far too much to the elderly. This film would be good to watch especially if you have relatives that are up in age so they can see what can happen if they aren't careful.

June Squibb plays a 93-year-old woman living alone, but with a close relationship to her grandson (Fred Hechinger). After she loses $10K in a phone scam, she sets out to get it back with her friend (Richard Roundtree). Even though this is billed as an action comedy, there's little of each. The "action" mostly takes place as she rides around LA on a mobility scooter. The "comedy" comes from the situations and Squibb, but she's more plucky than funny. Squbb's character is all about self-reliance and her steadfast performance echoes that. Writer/director Josh Margolin has crafted a sweet little look at elderly capabilities, challenges and family support. NOTE: There's footage of the real Thelma in the early credits.

Well crafted and smart movie. Its humor is often predictable but with humorous allusions to past thrillers, both good and bad. Nice camera work and editing. At times it is excessively sweet and sentimental, with musical swells that make you say “oh come on”, Overall a decent comedy. Worth a watch.