‘Thelma’ is a bitter-sweet tale of aging
Category: Television and Streaming
Thelma is inspired by director Josh Margolin’s own story about his grandmother and how seniors are preyed upon but, as viewers see, some of them still have the spunk and wherewithal to lead independent lives, or somewhat independent lives. June Squibb stars as Thelma, a 93 year-old grandmother with plenty of drive, literally.
Thelma’s grandson Daniel (Fred Hechinger) is tasked by his parents (Parker Posey and Clark Gregg) to keep tabs on her. He teaches her about the Internet and they enjoy each other’s company. Then one day she receives a phone call from someone claiming to be Daniel saying he is in jail and she will get a call from his attorney. Needless to say the old woman is frantic.
When the call comes through a few minutes later, she is instructed to put $10,000 in cash in the mail and is given a specific address and PO box. Well, not wanting Danny to stay in jail longer than necessary, Thelma collects all her money, puts it in an envelop and deposits it at the local post office. Then she calls Danny’s parents.
What they all find out is that the whole thing was a scam. Thelma is overjoyed to know nothing happened to Danny, but is infuriated that she was taken advantage of and her money is gone. The police tell her there is little chance of retrieving the cash.
That’s not good enough for this spunky grandma. She visits her friend Ben (Richard Roundtree) in his senior living residence and together they take off on an adventure on his three-wheeled, two-seat scooter. And what an adventure they have. It’s quite a site seeing two old people maneuvering through the streets of Los Angeles on the sidewalks. Their destination is the location where the money was sent. Thelma is intent on retrieving her money if it’s the last thing she does.
There are some sweet moments with Thelma and Daniel. There are also some bittersweet scenes with seniors who are not as capable as Thelma and Ben.
The film was selected to be shown at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, the Cleveland International Film Festival, the Miami Film Festival, SFFILM, and closed the Seattle International Film Festival.
It’s rare that an entire film is dedicated to aging. This is unusual in that it has plenty of action (on a three-wheel scooter), tender moments, and frustrating situations, not least of which is the scamming of seniors as well as seniors not able to be as productive as they once were.
Thelma considers herself a senior Tom Cruise on her own impossible mission. But it is not impossible after all.
“My grandma refuses to die,” stated director Margolin. “She just turned 103 and has survived the Great Depression, WWII, the death of her husband, a double mastectomy, colon cancer, a valve replacement and an ongoing but allegedly-benign brain tumor.” All of this is also Thelma’s life.
“I wrote Thelma from this place of reckoning. I wanted to explore her fight for what’s left of her autonomy just as I was beginning to consider mine.”
Thelma is now available to rent or buy on digital. It is rated PG. Viewers will feel both sadness and some joy. It is a tender, bittersweet story.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.