The Stream: N/A (Go see this movie!)

The Big Screen: Richard Roundtree is excellent in what is probably his final film role.

The Final Bill: A sweet, funny movie that checks all the boxes for an enjoyable time at the theater.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Josh Margolin
Writers: Josh Margolin
Stars: June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, Richard Roundtree
Genre: Action, Comedy
Rating: PG-13 for strong language
Runtime: 1 hour 33 minutes
Production Companies: Bandwagon, Invention Studios, Zurich Avenue, Magnolia Pictures
Platform: In theaters June 21, 2024
Notable Trailers: Twisters, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Fly Me to the Moon, It Ends with Us, The Front Room

Hey, Streamers! If you are looking for something to keep you out of the heat and you’ve seen the big blockbusters, I recently watched a fun comedy that will entertain you. Thelma stars 94-year-old June Squibb as 93-year-old Thelma Post. Thelma lives alone in Los Angeles, but she enjoys a close relationship with her grandson, Danny (Fred Hechinger), and her overbearing daughter and son-in-law (Parker Posey and Clark Gregg). When Thelma gets scammed out of $10,000 by a caller pretending to be her grandson, she takes matters into her own hands to retrieve her money and bring the scammers to justice. Scooting through L.A. and Life-Alert hijinks ensue.

Thelma is an immensely charming movie. It is a comedy that has many laugh-out-loud moments, and it will tug at your heartstrings as well. Josh Margolin wrote and directed this movie inspired by an experience of his own grandmother. That real life connection comes shining through in his sympathetic and sweet portrayal of Thelma Post and her relationship with her grandson. The theme of aging and independence is thoughtfully depicted and overflows with humor and empathy. All of the characters are very fun and distinctive. June Squibb is great as the tenacious and headstrong lead of the movie. Fred Hechinger is sweet as the grandson who cares deeply for Thelma and has his own issues with getting older. Parker Posey and Clark Gregg play great off of each other and have some very funny moment. My favorite performance is Richard Roundtree, who plays Thelma’s friend and companion on her quest. Roundtree is a great foil for Squibb. It is a memorable final role for him.

The movie also plays well as a low-stakes action movie. It’s funny seeing the 93-year-old character taking part in her own action sequences. The editing emphasizes the building tension as Thelma seeks to complete her mission. The score is propulsive and helps to heighten the suspense. Overall, Thelma makes the most of its clever and suspenseful plot and the comedy inherent in it.

Ultimately, Thelma is a fun movie that brings a lot of humor and some emotional moments. It will make you think about your grandparents and parents as they age. The cast is excellent across the board because they got to work with a funny and thoughtful script. Grab your grandmother, a scooter, and a big box of popcorn and head to the theater.