Grandma

"Grandma" is one of those short little nice independent films that touches the heart showing that life is full of change, hope and finding a new path for each. The grand old Lily Tomlin is Elle a past her prime college professor who's down in the dumps she's broke money wise and she's just broken up with her gay lady love Olivia(Judy Greer). To complicate matters one day her granddaughter Sage shows up one day needing 600 dollars and guess what it's for an abortion as Sage was knocked up by her boyfriend who hit the road! Then it's a funny and feel good road journey to obtain the 600 for an abortion and along the way it's a bonding of love and friendship as Sage's mother and Elle's daughter Judy(Marcia Gay Harden)an uptight and business like society snob provides the money for the procedure. Still thru it all each discover a journey of hope and a new beginning and Lily Tomlin's performance is shining even with her grand old age.

"I'm not trying to ruin your life. I'm not perfect, we're not all perfect." Elle (Tomlin) is bitter and stubborn. When she gets into a fight with her girlfriend and they break up she acts tough. When her granddaughter Sage (Garner) asking for her help Elle takes her under her wing and does everything she can to help her out. What Elle finds is that this experience helps her more than she expected. This is a movie I was not sure what to expect. The few Lily Tomlin movies I have seen have been Big Business and 9 to 5, not really my favorites. I was totally shocked by her in this movie, in a good way. Lily Tomlin is hilarious in this and plays a role you have never seen her in before. Picture Billy Bob Thornton in Bad Santa as portrayed by Lily Tomlin. The stuff she says is pretty offensive and so out of the blue that you can't help but laugh. The movie does have a very good message and is very much worth seeing but the real reason to check this out is for Lily Tomlin. Overall, smartly written with a version of Lily Tomlin you have never seen. I give this a B+.

Lily Tomlin is superb here starring as the acerbic Elle, a known poet and author, who's having trouble writing again after her same-sex partner, of some 38 years, passed away. One day, Elle gets a surprise visit from her granddaughter Sage, who tells Elle that she's pregnant and needs over $600 for a scheduled abortion later that day. Julia Garner is also excellent in her portrayal of Sage.

Thus the two women will begin an odyssey around town in an attempt to raise the money. At times, things will get crude and rude, and there are some rough spots, but there's also some good humor and I thought it all culminated in an uplifting ending.

Marcia Gay Harden, Judy Greer, and Sam Elliott also add well to the mix in supporting roles. Additionally, the film is well written and directed by Paul Weitz (About a Boy).

All in all, this indie at only 1 hr. and 18 min. in length, led by Tomlin and Garner, with strong support from the cast, kept me absorbed and interested in how it would all play out.

It's a rare event, but, yes, sometimes the director of American Pie makes a really good movie. The last one was probably About a Boy back in 2002. Grandma is a charming little indie with some fine acting, good character work and some touching emotion. Lily Tomlin plays an aging lesbian poet who is visited by her granddaughter (Julia Garner). She is hoping for money to pay for an abortion, but Grandma is broke. The film follows them as they go from place to place, hoping to get a loan or owed money or sell something valuable. The past is filled in by these encounters. The supporting cast is ace and includes Marcia Gay Harden, Sam Elliot, Judy Greer, Elizabeth Pena (who passed away about a year ago) and Laverne Cox (lovely to see her make the leap to feature film). It's Tomlin's movie, of course, but one should not overlook how good Garner is in the more passive role. I knew I recognized her from somewhere - it turned out to be Martha Marcy May Marlene - she should become a huge star. Okay, maybe it's because she's cute and I love her hair so much, but she is very good here.

Grandma (2015)

*** (out of 4)

Elle Reid (Lily Tomlin) breaks up with her girlfriend (Judy Greer), which was her first relationship since the love of her life died. Moments afterwards her granddaughter Sage (Julia Gamer) shows up asking for money to get an abortion later in the afternoon. With Elle being broke the two set out to try and come up with the money as well as learn about a few mistakes in their past.

GRANDMA isn't a masterpiece or even a very good movie but it's a breezy entertainment that manages to have some great performances, a few nice laughs and a couple tender moments as well. The film comes from writer-director Paul Weitz and it's certainly an entertaining movie even if it never reaches the heights that I'm sure everyone was shooting for.

The film manages to find Tomlin giving one of the best performances of her career as this hot-tempered lesbian who will stop at pretty much nothing to get her opinion across and help her granddaughter. I thought she was very believable in the part and there's no question that the actress can handle sharp comments but it's the heart she brings the character that is so memorable. Gamer is also very good as her partner in crime and manages to build a real character. Greer and Marcia Gay Harden are both good in their small supporting roles but it's Sam Elliott who steals the picture in a very heart-wrenching performance. I'm not going to spoil what his sequence is about but it's certainly the highlight of the film.

At just 78 minutes there's certainly nothing too demanding here and there's really not too much to the story. The ladies hit the road and we see Elle having to deal with several members of her past. I'm sure the subject matter might turn some people off but it's really nothing too offensive and it's handled in a very good way. GRANDMA is a good little gem that's going to be remembered for the performances.