Directed and written by: Josh Margolin
Starring: June Squibb, Richard Roundtree, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, Fred Hechinger, and Malcolm McDowell
Runtime: 97 minutes
Squibb shines, whether ‘Thelma’ works on her action-star moves or industrious needlepoint projects
“What’s an inbox?”
Danny (Fred Hechinger), Thelma’s (June Squibb) 24-year-old grandson, stops by her place for a visit. He loves his grandma and enjoys their time together. At the moment, he helps her sort through email.
This upbeat 93-year-old may not have completely mastered the ins and outs of navigating through her messages, but Thelma is primarily self-sufficient while also listening to Danny’s software tutorial.
Thelma is friendly with her daughter, Gail (Parker Posey), and son-in-law, Alan (Clark Gregg), but she seems closest to Danny, which is a refreshing surprise in 2024. Since director/writer Josh Margolin created “Thelma” based on his real-life grandmother, who is currently 103, this film’s on-screen bond between the Greatest Generation and Gen Z is easily understandable.
At times, “Thelma” is an easy-breezy action-adventure comedy, one that’s sometimes as sweet as your grandma’s chocolate chip cookie recipe, but Margolin includes gravitas about the struggles of growing older, and the daredevil side of this PG-13 story lies with Thelma taking control of her destiny on the concrete streets of Southern California.
A telephone scam artist pilfers $10,000 from Thelma and rather than shrug her shoulders and move on, she rolls up her sleeves, and says, “I’m gonna get it back.”
She trusts Danny with her life, or at least her email account, but turns to a long-time friend for help. Ben (Richard Roundtree) lives at the Belwood Village retirement home, but the man owns a scooter that can run 43 miles on one charge.
Ben says, “It’s bright red, so you can see me coming.”
So, Thelma and Ben form a dynamic duo as they gather clues and make their way – albeit gradually – toward Van Nuys to hopefully find the aforementioned ten grand!
The film is money when Roundtree (in his last film performance) and Squibb’s on-screen characters partner like two detectives, vigilantes, or “Mission: Impossible” action stars who act with intention, and their AARP experience and gadgets proudly parade on display. Thelma and Ben are not running down baddies or jumping in a Camaro and ramming about town, but the screenplay paves the way for believable, grounded progress, even though speed isn’t their greatest asset.
The pair isn’t earning gold medals in the 100m dash during their golden years, but they are still here to compete in the game of life. The film offers some moments of slapstick fun, including when Thelma and Ben search for a gun and also dodge Danny, Gail, and Alan. This troubled triad is desperate to find their elderly matriarch (and Ben, too), which adds another hurdle for Thelma and Ben’s 43-miles-per-charge buggy to leap over.
However, Danny, Gail, and Alan’s stretches as overprotective worrywarts don’t quite work comedically. Posey has a lengthy resume for comedy, but Gail and Alan become clueless adults, often represented in high school comedies, and Danny’s attempt to win back his girlfriend emotionally spins in a San Fernando cul-de-sac. Still, Gail and Alan effectively communicate the stress of the sandwich generation, and Danny’s moments with his grandmother are endearing.
Much of the 97-minute runtime has 94-year-old June Squibb front and center. The Oscar-nominated Squibb (“Nebraska” (2013)) started her television and film career in 1985 (while in her mid-50s) and is generally known these days as a supporting player for large ensemble pieces, but not here. June shines in this lead role as Thelma and delivers spry moments of physicality. This nonagenarian’s agility will surprise, and she might easily outflank your 70-something Aunt Edna.
June and Josh generously give Thelma three dimensions: sensitivity, innovative skillsets, and sass. She’s a woman who will actively and lovingly listen to her grandson but then justify using a gun for the first time by saying, “How hard can it be? Idiots use them all the time.”
She’s stubborn and relishes her independence but will happily open her home to family when they aren’t chasing her all over town.
Although Thelma may have fallen victim to a scam, she’s not a 24/7 victim. This engaging character has something to say whether Thelma works on her action-star moves, industrious needlepoint projects, or (thank you, Danny) answering emails from her inbox.
Jeff’s ranking
3/4 stars
