Thursday October 8, 2015 | By:Tony Baksa |
It is rare for a movie to deal with hot button issues and not politicize. “Grandma” starring the irrepressible Lily Tomlin in the title role is such a movie. A no-nonsense type, grandma Elle is faced with the predicament of helping her teenage granddaughter, Sage, come to terms with an unwanted pregnancy. Although a well-known author, Elle is temporarily broke and unable to offer financial assistance to Sage. So, they embark on a mission to get $600 dollars from grandma’s friends and acquaintances. Somewhere in that mix is grandma’s ex-husband who she hasn’t seen in thirty years.
What we have here is that old staple – a road movie – a really good road movie. Tomlin is front and center in a funny and touching performance. She portrays a woman who has battled her whole life for a logical and relevant existence – neither of which she has achieved. Her life is in constant turmoil what with financial worries and most especially the loss of her life partner, Vi. Known as grandma Vi to Sage, it seems Vi would have been Sage’s logical choice for guidance at this difficult time. But Vi has passed away, recently. Grandma Elle seems a bad choice for Sage to seek help. But her spirit and resilience is charismatic and offers a strange kind of comfort to her granddaughter. You know all will work out in the end. Getting there is what the movie is all about.
So Grandma and granddaughter go on this journey to raise the cash. We meet a wide variety of Elle’s friends and so-called friends as well. It is these encounters that show Elle in survivor mode – a glorious sight to behold. The episodic nature of this movie is what makes it so satisfying.
Paul Weitz, producer and writer of such hits as “About A Boy” and “American Pie”, takes a stab at directing - apparently for the first time. His straight forward no gimmicks approach serves the movie well. He has assembled a sturdy cast of veterans and a few newbies to lay before us a heartfelt scenario.
Tomlin is simply wonderful as grandma Elle. Julie Garner is perfect as the naïve Sage. Outstanding is Sam Elliot in two riveting scenes that reunite him with his former wife, Elle. Marcia Gay Harden as Sage’s over bearing mother brings humanity to a role that could have easily come off as mean.
“Grandma” is funny, sad and slightly disturbing. It is also extremely entertaining. With a wise and knowing screenplay by Weitz, we are looking in on real people facing life’s challenges as we all do. It isn’t about happy or sad endings. Like life, it’s about keeping on and moving on and - as the song says - people needing people.
It is rare for a movie to deal with hot button issues and not politicize. “Grandma” starring the irrepressible Lily Tomlin in the title role is such a movie. A no-nonsense type, grandma Elle is faced with the predicament of helping her teenage granddaughter, Sage, come to terms with an unwanted pregnancy. Although a well-known author, Elle is temporarily broke and unable to offer financial assistance to Sage. So, they embark on a mission to get $600 dollars from grandma’s friends and acquaintances. Somewhere in that mix is grandma’s ex-husband who she hasn’t seen in thirty years.
What we have here is that old staple – a road movie – a really good road movie. Tomlin is front and center in a funny and touching performance. She portrays a woman who has battled her whole life for a logical and relevant existence – neither of which she has achieved. Her life is in constant turmoil what with financial worries and most especially the loss of her life partner, Vi. Known as grandma Vi to Sage, it seems Vi would have been Sage’s logical choice for guidance at this difficult time. But Vi has passed away, recently. Grandma Elle seems a bad choice for Sage to seek help. But her spirit and resilience is charismatic and offers a strange kind of comfort to her granddaughter. You know all will work out in the end. Getting there is what the movie is all about.
So Grandma and granddaughter go on this journey to raise the cash. We meet a wide variety of Elle’s friends and so-called friends as well. It is these encounters that show Elle in survivor mode – a glorious sight to behold. The episodic nature of this movie is what makes it so satisfying.
Paul Weitz, producer and writer of such hits as “About A Boy” and “American Pie”, takes a stab at directing - apparently for the first time. His straight forward no gimmicks approach serves the movie well. He has assembled a sturdy cast of veterans and a few newbies to lay before us a heartfelt scenario.
Tomlin is simply wonderful as grandma Elle. Julie Garner is perfect as the naïve Sage. Outstanding is Sam Elliot in two riveting scenes that reunite him with his former wife, Elle. Marcia Gay Harden as Sage’s over bearing mother brings humanity to a role that could have easily come off as mean.
“Grandma” is funny, sad and slightly disturbing. It is also extremely entertaining. With a wise and knowing screenplay by Weitz, we are looking in on real people facing life’s challenges as we all do. It isn’t about happy or sad endings. Like life, it’s about keeping on and moving on and - as the song says - people needing people.
http://www.thesunnews.net/
Sounds good!
ReplyDeleteIt's worth the trip to the cineplex
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