There are a lot of movies about mild-mannered people getting conned and looking for revenge. Thelma is a very different take on that plotline. The story of a 93-year-old woman who gets scammed out of $10,000 and goes on a quest to reclaim it, it is funny, with a wonderful performance from 94-year-old June Squibb. It is also surprisingly touching. Writer/director Josh Margolin never trivializes what his heroine is experiencing by settling for “cute old lady” clichés. Thelma is a strong woman who wants independence and respect; the movie respects her in turn. The premise sounds like it would generate a lot of laughs, which it does. However, the character is taken seriously. That makes for a rewarding watch, in addition to a fun one.
Thelma lives by herself following the death of her husband two years prior. She is doted on by her grandson, Danny, who, along with his parents, acts like she could break at any moment. After Thelma is swindled out of ten grand, nobody will listen to her desire to get it back, So, she sets off without them to find the criminals and take back what’s hers.
Of all the pleasures contained in Thelma (92 minutes, without the end credits), the most significant is June Squibb. She does not play the title character as frail or a stereotypical angry grump. She is a kind, friendly, lonely, woman, who loves her family, yet wants to be treated like she’s still alive. The thought of being unable to take care of herself upsets her. She doesn’t need a chaperone. When she gets stolen from, her family decides this is a clear sign that Thelma can’t be on her own anymore. All she wants is to be heard. If nobody thinks the money can be found, she’ll just have to prove them wrong on her own.
Squibb is tremendously likable without the screenplay doing anything to manipulate the audience into liking her. She was taken advantage of and now she needs to fix it so those around her will see that she is still vital. Her tale isn’t the stuff of action movies, though it is definitely action-packed for a nonagenarian. Don’t go in expecting gunplay. This is focused on wit and the courage to continue living your life, even when your loved ones suspect you don’t have much left. Squibb has perfect comic timing and comes off as a good person forced to be a little sneaky to get what she wants.
Much of the runtime consists of Thelma attempting to get to the address she unwisely sent the money to. This involves a scooter ride with old acquaintance Ben, played by the late, great, Richard Roundtree. Their friendship is based mostly around their spouses and other friends who have since passed away. There is a bittersweetness to it. They are pretty much all there is to remind one another of the good times. Roundtree is very effective as a man who is happy with his life in a nursing home and isn’t particularly thrilled with going on an adventure. He and Squibb have charming chemistry together.
Thelma works so well because Margolin undoubtedly loves this character and allows Squibb to make her three-dimensional. The movie never mocks her. She is the most sympathetic character, as well as the bravest. The scenes showing her family worrying about her in her absence, which gives her grandson his own arc, aren’t quite as successful. On paper, the premise probably reads like a Jason Statham plot, but starring an old woman. The screenplay pokes fun at that idea, yet it is actually a sweet story about a woman on a journey for dignity. This is a gem.
4 out of 5
Cast:
June Squibb as Thelma
Fred Hechinger as Daniel
Richard Roundtree as Ben
Parker Posey as Gail
Clark Gregg as Alan
Written/Directed by Josh Margolin
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