Thelma

Monday, Tuesday & Thursday

July 29, 30 & August 1

7 pm nightly
1:30 Thursday Matinée
2024 – Comedy / Drama
PG — 1h 39m

Thelma is a young filmmaker’s touching and funny tribute to the olds. The film immediately establishes the uniquely strong bond between 93-year-old Thelma (June Squibb) and her Gen Z grandson Daniel (Fred Hechinger), an affable slacker. The story centres on her living a quiet, solitary life in  LA. Her days are filled with frequent visits from her aimless, yet adoring grandson, Danny (Fred Hechinger). When a phone scammer posing as Danny tricks her out of $10,000, Thelma is determined to retrieve her money. Despite her family’s concerns, she enlists the help of Ben (Roundtree), a widower from a neighbouring assisted living community, and together they set out on an adventure.

Thelma was written, directed, and edited by Josh Margolin, who only has one other directing credit (a comedy short) and comes from the improv comedy world—his comedy background shows. But the whole film rests on June Squibb’s shoulders. She brings to the part 78 years of acting experience, which is a joy to watch. Her Thelma is no saint; she is not a fount of wisdom, nor is she the kind of hacky, wacky, Funny Old Lady that was so popular in the films of my youth. Cinema usually only gives us such stories when the grandchild is a child, not 24, which is a shame because the intergenerational bond between a person in new adulthood and someone who is a veteran sets up a lot of interesting dynamics.

Thelma’s adventure is filled with questionable yet courageous decisions, emphasising her fierce independence and heroism. Her resilience and refusal to be a victim make her as compelling as any younger action hero. The film hinges on its ability to evoke laughter while also delivering a touching narrative. On paper, Thelma might seem like a typical feel-good “gray dollar” fodder, however, the film stands out with a consistently funny script, genuine emotional depth, and outstanding comic performances from its principle actors.