What’s It About
Thelma Post is a 93-year-old grandmother who loses $10,000 to a con artist on the phone. With help from a friend and his motorized scooter, she soon embarks on a treacherous journey across Los Angeles to reclaim what was taken from her.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
The movie “Thelma” begins with a serious issue but turns into a lighthearted comedy set in Los Angeles. Thelma, portrayed by Squibb, takes matters into her own hands after falling victim to a scam. She enlists her friend Ben (Richard Roundtree), who resides in an assisted living facility, to help her. Reluctantly, Ben joins her mission. Thelma’s grandson, Danny (Fred Hechinger), is a young man who needs confidence. Parker Posey plays Thelma’s daughter, while Clark Gregg portrays her son-in-law. In this action-comedy directed by Josh Margolin, June Squibb stars as Thelma, a 93-year-old grandmother who becomes a victim of a $10,000 phone scam. Drawing inspiration from her love for Mission: Impossible movies, Thelma embarks on a quest to right the wrong with assistance from her friend Ben (Richard Roundtree), her daughter (Parker Posey), son-in-law (Clark Gregg), and her hapless grandson (Fred Hechinger) who all join the wild chase to find her. The film is loosely based on an incident involving Margolin’s grandmother, offering June Squibb her first leading role in a career spanning over 70 years and bidding a tender farewell to Richard Roundtree. The scam begins with a phone call claiming that Danny is in a car accident and needs $10,000 for a lawyer. In panic, Thelma sends the money to a post office box. The movie shows Thelma dealing with the grief of losing family and friends as she ages. At 93, Thelma falls for a costly phone scam but is determined to get her money back. Thelma lives independently in San Fernando Valley and isn’t very tech-savvy, as her grandson tries to teach her about emails. Danny loves his grandma and is dedicated to her. When Thelma receives a call from someone pretending to be Danny, saying he’s in jail after a car accident, she rushes to help. She only finds out Danny is fine after sending the $10,000. Danny’s parents help Thelma file a police report, but it seems unlikely anything will come of it. Thelma is determined to track down the scammers herself. Squibb fully embodies Thelma’s character, and her chemistry with Hechinger is delightful. Roundtree is charming, and Posey and Gregg portray well-meaning middle-class Southern Californians. Malcolm McDowell has a significant role in the third act. The movie’s primary flaw may be its inconsistency in portraying time and distances between places. Despite this, “Thelma” is an enjoyable, funny, and touching film. The closing credits feature a sweet clip of Margolin’s real-life grandmother, making it a heartfelt tribute and a joy to watch, a genuine crowd-pleaser, and a laugh riot.
OUR RATING – A GERIATRIC 7.5
MEDIA
- Genre – Comedy
- Street date
- Digital – July 19, 2024
- Blu-Ray/DVD – October 8, 2024
- Video – 1080p
- Screen size – 2.39:1
- Sound – English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Subtitles –English SDH, Spanish
Extras
- none