4/5 Grandma With Lily Tomlin appearing on every show from Eastbound & Down to Web Therapy to her own Grace and Frankie, the world has been in grave need of a stellar performance on the big screen. Not since her stellar performance in I Heart Huckabees has she been this good. As a free-spirited, aging poet trying to scratch up some cash for her granddaughter’s abortion, this may actually be her best work since her Oscar-nominated role in the 1975 classic Nashville. Sure, “that movie about the grumpy lesbian and abortion” does not exactly sound like the funniest time, but Grandma is side-splitting and emotionally fertile. Structurally, the film is basically the same scene over and over, preceded by numbered scene titles, a la Wes Anderson. Elle (Tomlin) and Sage (Julia Garner, The Americans) go from place to place, asking for money from people from Elle’s past. The results range from hilarious to heartbreaking. Despite this, Grandma never feels repetitive. It feels more like listening to one of your favorite songs on repeat. The song is technically the same each time, but you hear something new each spin. What makes the experience so rich is the combination of director/writer Paul Weitz’s script and the performances of his knockout cast. Weitz’s movies have been on a slow decline recently since beginning his career with great films like American Pie and About a Boy. His most recent film, 2013’s Admission, was boilerplate rom-com. What a relief it is to see Weitz not continuing his career with more studio fare. Grandma has a welcome indie feel that benefits the career of everyone involved. | Director: Paul Weitz Starring: Lily Tomlin, Julia Garner, Marcia Gay Harden, Judy Greer, Laverne Cox, Sam Elliott Writer: Paul Weitz |
As far as the supporting cast goes, Weitz has that covered as well. Tomlin is obviously the sun that holds everyone in orbit, but seeing Sam Elliott go toe to toe with her is, plain and simple, a fantastic viewing experience. Their emotionally charged scene is the price of admission alone. Don’t count out Judy Greer and Marcia Gay Harden, though, as Elle’s much-younger ex and her bitter, estranged daughter. Elliott, Harden, and Greer are provided the meatiest roles, but Nat Wolff (Paper Towns) and Laverne Cox (Orange is the New Black) also stop by in jovial cameos.
Grandma is not exactly perfect. Garner’s Sage is a tad bit nettlesome in the earlier scenes and some of the revelations are predictable; but, all in all, Grandma is a breath of fresh air for both Tomlin and Weitz. SPOILER ALERT: In a closing note, it’s triumphantly refreshing that the story does not end with Sage choosing to keep her baby after having a “moral awakening.” Good for Weitz for being brave and making the bold choice.
Grandma is not exactly perfect. Garner’s Sage is a tad bit nettlesome in the earlier scenes and some of the revelations are predictable; but, all in all, Grandma is a breath of fresh air for both Tomlin and Weitz. SPOILER ALERT: In a closing note, it’s triumphantly refreshing that the story does not end with Sage choosing to keep her baby after having a “moral awakening.” Good for Weitz for being brave and making the bold choice.