Review: Grandma

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Women are assholes.

No, really. Every single person in this film either tells someone to stop being one, or admits they're acting like one.

Elle (Lily Tomlin) is a sharp tongued writer who has just broken up with her girlfriend of four months, Olivia. (Judy Greer) Right after that, her teenage grand daughter Sage (Julia Garner) shows up unexpectedly looking for $630 to have an abortion. She's too afraid to ask her domineering mother (Marcia Gay Harden) and with Elle being temporarily broke, they go off visiting people in Elle's life trying to get the money. 

It's hard to go wrong with a cast like this. Thankfully, Grandma doesn't. Lily Tomlin should be a shoo-in in the Best Actress in a Comedy category at the Globes. She's harsh and hilarious. Julia Garner is always good at playing sweet and innocent. Sage is just that, but you can tell deep down she has the potential fire that her grandma and mother both have.

The film takes place in the span of one day. We meet the douche who impregnated Sage, who Elle promptly beats with a hockey stick. A few of her friends, and even a former lover. That's where the film stalls temporarily. Even though said lover is played by Sam Elliot, everything out of his mouth is a platitude. It threw the entire tone off. Thankfully, after that scene is when Harden appears and gets things back to where they were.

Grandma is a wonderfully sunny film with a great cast. It's a quick watch and definitely deserves to be seen.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: B

Memorable Quote: "I don't have an anger problem, I have an asshole problem. People are assholes, I get angry." - Elle (Lily Tomlin)

Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2015 at 9:55 AM

    Oooh, I really meant to catch this one in theatres but guess I didn't. I feel like I'm always playing catchup. But thanks for the good review and the reminder! I love Lily Tomlin - have you seen her Netflix show, Frankie & Grace?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamSeptember 22, 2015 at 10:18 AM

      I haven't! I actually hadn't even heard of it until she was nominated for an Emmy. This just came out in theaters here, maybe it will still come to you?

      Delete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 23, 2015 at 5:51 PM

    This sounds terrific. It's playing at our little downtown theater. Maybe I'll get a chance to see it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. VanishedfrontierSeptember 27, 2015 at 1:41 PM

    Didn't know the movie. It seems cool, I'll add it to my watchlist.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Candice FrederickSeptember 27, 2015 at 3:13 PM

    oh i didn't realize this took place all in one day. I will rent this one

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamSeptember 28, 2015 at 5:57 PM

      Yep, it actually takes place in the span of about 6 hours. I hope you like it.

      Delete
  5. AnonymousOctober 1, 2015 at 8:18 AM

    I can't wait to see Tomlin TEAR IT UP!!! Her reviews are pretty incredible, and the talk about an Oscar nom is starting to look like more than just talk, which would be awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 1, 2015 at 8:47 AM

      I'm not sure if she can ride this all the way to the Oscars, I guess it depends on the competition. But she's got to be getting a Globe nomination at least.

      Delete
  6. JoshOctober 5, 2015 at 1:57 AM

    Tomlin was great, but it felt like the film was trying too hard at times. B- for me.

    ReplyDelete

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