There are a lot of bad comedies about, and supposedly for, senior citizens. It’s especially depressing because the worst offenders, the ones that don’t just feel cheap and lazy but exploitative too, often feature our finest actors. They can take on the air of an unintentional horror film – and not the fun kind.
“Thelma,” starring June Squibb, is not one of those.
In her first lead film role, she plays a 90-something who gets scammed out of $10,000 and goes on a mission to get it back. Revenge stories aren’t often (or ever, really) described as sweet, but that’s the magic of “Thelma,” the feature debut of writer-director Josh Margolin that opens in theaters this week. It is charming, genuinely funny and a breeze to watch.
Perhaps it works so well on a fundamental level because Margolin wrote it with his own grandmother (also named Thelma) in mind. Though there is something inherently silly and goofy about the idea of a grandmother on a “Mission: Impossible”-style journey, “Thelma” transcends its on-paper limitations and becomes something wholly unexpected. Kind of like its main character. This isn’t not just an idea of an old person slotted into a high concept gag. It’s specific and at least somewhat realistic. The scooter she and the late Richard Roundtree (as her friend Ben) ride might be slower than Tom Cruise on foot, but the energy is high and infectious.
Squibb is absolutely wonderful at the center of the film, with impeccable comedic timing and full command of her character. Thelma is living alone at 93. She lost her husband a few years prior. Lots of her friends are gone already. But she doesn’t yet see herself in an assisted living situation, or even wearing a life monitor in case she falls. “If I fall I’m toast,” she deadpans. “That’s why I don’t fall.”
And she’s managing pretty well. Her doting 20-something grandson Daniel (Fred Hechinger of the first season of “The White Lotus”) visits often to help with the computer and just hang out. When he’s gone, she fills her days with all her tasks: Sorting pills, doing her stationary bike exercises, watching YouTube videos, attempting to comment, attempting to backspace and revise typos and accidentally posting blurry photos of nothing to her Instagram stories.
That is until she gets a panicked phone call from someone claiming to be her grandson. He was in an accident, he says, and she needs to send $10,000 in cash to bail him out. By the time the family starts answering the phone, the money is in the mail, and the police are telling them there’s nothing that can be done. Her family, including Daniel’s mom Gail (Parker Posey) and dad (Clark Gregg), basically wash their hands of it. But Thelma has nothing but time, and she wants to do something about it.
Margolin’s film was made independently. It debuted earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival and was picked up for a theatrical release. But he had his team have made it look and feel commercial and buttoned up with a fun '60s-inspired score by Nick Chuba.
Things really come to life when Roundtree (terrific, in his last role) enters the picture as her reluctant accomplice on their trip from the Westside of Los Angeles to Van Nuys, in the San Fernando Valley. She doesn’t drive and needs his refurbed scooter that he’s been going on about — but he’s not about to let her take it on her own.
They have a great rapport — an inspired pairing. The Posey/Gregg/Hechinger trio isn’t too shabby either spouting comedic banter that makes them instantly believable as a family unit. One standout sequence involves one of those dreaded Waze-directed Los Angeles left turns across a busy four lane throughway.
But this is ultimately Squibb’s show and she delivers, like she always does. She should have been leading pictures the whole time and finally did something about it.
“Thelma,” a Magnolia Pictures release in theaters Friday, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association for “strong language.” Running time: 97 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.
This image released by Magnolia Pictures shows promotional art for the film "Thelma." (Magnolia Pictures via AP)
This image released by Magnolia Pictures shows June Squibb, left, and Fred Hechinger in a scene from the film "Thelma." (Magnolia Pictures via AP)
This image released by Magnolia Pictures shows Parker Posey, from left, Fred Hechinger and Clark Gregg in a scene from the film "Thelma." (Magnolia Pictures via AP)
This image released by Magnolia Pictures shows Richard Roundtree, left, and June Squibb in a scene from the film "Thelma." (Magnolia Pictures via AP)
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Matthew Liberatore pitched six shutout innings in a spot start and Alec Burleson hit a go-ahead, two-run double to lead the St. Louis Cardinals over the Atlanta Braves 4-1 Wednesday for a day-night doubleheader split.
Jarred Kelenic had three hits, including his eighth home run, and three RBIs as the Braves won the opener 6-2. Kelenic was 6 for 9 with four RBIs in the doubleheader and is hitting .362 (17 for 47) with four homers and 10 RBIs since being moved to the leadoff spot in the batting order following Ronald Acuña Jr.'s season-ending knee injury.
Liberatore (2-2) gave up two hits and struck out eight in his fifth start of the season. He got the spot start following Tuesday night's rainout.
Burleson put the Braves ahead 2-0 in the third off Bryce Elder (1-3), who was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett earlier in the day. An NL All-Star last season, Elder allowed two runs and five hits in six innings.
Michael Siani and Masyn Winn had two-out singles before Burleson lined the ball into the right-field corner for his 27th hit in June. Paul Goldschmidt and Brendan Donovan added run-scoring singles off Grant Holmes in the eighth.
Closer Ryan Helsley struck out Adam Duvall with two on for his major league-leading 28th save in 29 chances, his 28th in a row.
Kelenic had a run-scoring hit with two-out in the eighth off JoJo Romero after hitting a two-run homer in the sixth inning of the opener,
Reynaldo López (6-2) improved to 4-0 in his last five starts, allowing two runs and four hits in five innings.
After Ramón Laureano hit into a run-scoring forceout, Zack Short had a two-run single in a four-run second that included Kelenic’s RBI single. Matt Carpenter hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom half, and Alec Burleson had a sacrifice fly in the fifth.
Kelenic’s homer was the first allowed by Kyle Leahy in 17 appearances and 28 1/3 innings this season.
TRAINERS ROOM
Braves: Orlando Arcia (dizziness) missed both games after being removed in the sixth inning Monday night. ... 3B Brian Anderson was put on the 10-day IL Tuesday with a bacterial infection, retroactive to Sunday. ... LHP AJ Minter (left hip inflammation) moved to Triple-A Gwinnett on his rehab assignment.
Cardinals: INF/OF Tommy Edman, working his way back from offseason right wrist surgery, sprained an ankle while fielding ground balls on Tuesday. ... OF Lars Nootbaar (oblique strain) took batting practice on the field for the first time Tuesday, and reported no ill effects. He could start a rehab assignment this weekend.
UP NEXT
Braves: LHP Chris Sale (10-2, 2.91) is to start Thursday as the Chicago White Sox. Chicago, his team from 2010-16, started RHP Drew Thorpe (1-1, 5.02)
Cardinals: RHP Miles Mikolas (6-6, 4.68 ERA) starts Thursday’s opener against visiting Cincinnati and LHP Andrew Abbott (6-6, 3.40).
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Atlanta Braves' Jarred Kelenic watches his RBI single next to St. Louis Cardinals catcher Pedro Pages during the eighth inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
St. Louis Cardinals' Brendan Donovan watches his RBI single next to Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud during the eighth inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Pedro Pages, left, celebrates with Ryan Helsley after the team's win over the Atlanta Braves in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Gibson, left, talks with catcher Wilson Contreras during the second inning in the first game of a baseball doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Gibson throws during the second inning in the first game of a baseball doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies turns a double play over St. Louis Cardinals' Brendan Donovan during the eighth inning in the first game of a baseball doubleheader Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
Atlanta Braves' Matt Olson, right, is congratulated by Zack Short after scoring during the second inning in the first game of a baseball doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
Atlanta Braves left fielder Forrest Wall catches a fly ball for an out against St. Louis Cardinals' St. Louis Cardinals Matt Carpenter during the second inning in the first game of a baseball doubleheader Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
Atlanta Braves' Jarred Kelenic crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning in the first game of a baseball doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Kyle Leahy returns to the mound after giving up a two-run home run to Atlanta Braves' Jarred Kelenic during the sixth inning in the first game of a baseball doubleheader Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
Atlanta Braves' Jarred Kelenic hits a two-run home run during the sixth inning in the first game of a baseball doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
Atlanta Braves' Jarred Kelenic hits an RBI single during the second inning in the first game of a baseball doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
