Thelma

By Joanna Langfield

Finally! A comedy about senior citizens that doesn’t just have some terrific actors running around like a bunch of ninnies.

I have been so disappointed to watch a some recent movies, employing wonderful veteran actors, settling for some silly sit-comish stories and scenes. But this one is something different. The great June Squibb stars as Thelma, a widow living alone, pretty much her only visitors, her adult daughter, son in law and the grandson she adores. So, when Thelma gets one of those calls, telling her that her grandson’s been in a terrible accident, is in jail and needs money now, Thelma digs out her cash and sends it off, pronto. It’s a scam, of course. The police are no help. Neither is her family. But Thelma isn’t having it. And she’s out to not just retrieve her cash, but to settle a few scores.

This could have been the start of something demeaning and cutesy. Aww, look at the little old lady, scooting along on that electrified scooter, thinking she’s going to win after all. But Josh Margolin’s script and direction has more respect for the story (drawn from a real life experience) and the people involved to do that. Thelma, especially as brought to us with Squibb’s warm no nonsense humor, is no fool. Her family, all of whom seem to have their own problems, really do love her and are genuinely worried when they think maybe it’s time to put mama in, you know, a home. It’s always a treat when Parker Posey does her thing and she is dandily matched by Clark Gregg. But it’s Fred Hechinger who does the heavy lifting here, making his lost grandson a character we can’t help but care about.

In what is his final film performance, Richard Roundtree sweetly shares some game energy, along with real wisdom. But it’s Squibb who’s the marvel. In virtually every scene, she’s terrific, insuring this comedy is also one of the most genuinely touching movies to come along in quite a while.