Review of Grandma (2015) by Joel M — 07 Oct 2016

**** Good.

Writer-Director Paul Weitz' dramedy "Grandma" might not be a grand showstopper of a movie but it has a grand performance from veteran actress Lily Tomlin, and that was grandly suffice. Tomlin stars as Elle, an outspoken & tough-as-nails grandmother/mom who assists her granddaughter Sage in her mission to get funds for an abortion. It might sound like a very simplistic plot, but there were some dynamic family connections to it; especially when Sage's mom/Elle's daughter Judy comes into the picture. Weitz draws up "Grandma" as a mini-tour movie highlighting Elle and Sage, and it primarily focuses on how an vociferous and mean-spirited grandmother could still show her "heart of gold" to do whatever it takes to help her granddaughter. Sure, there is some formulaic family feud dynamics we have seen before, especially in the relationship between Elle and Judy; but it's not that huge of a flaw. Tomlin was grandly snubbed for a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her outstanding performance here as Elle. Although, Marcia Gay Harden as Judy and Julia Garner as Sage were performances that were not too grand. I did like though the supporting work of the vastly underrated Judy Greer as Elle's younger lover Olivia, and Sam Elliot as Elle's ex-boyfriend Karl. But it's Tomlin who was the most grandiose in "Grandma", and that enough is worth a grand look at this movie.