Review of Grandma (2015) by Alberto A — 25 Sep 2015

The most amazing element about â??Grandmaâ?? is its simplicity within the realm of storytelling. This film, written and directed by Paul Weitz (American Pie, 1999; About a Boy, 2002), starts off when teenager Sage (Julia Garner) goes to her grandmother Elle (Lily Tomlin) asking for money so that she can have an abortion, because she is afraid of asking her neurotic mother (Marcia Gay Harden). This sets off a journey within the long roads of Los Angeles where we can see firsthand how simple day-to-day experiences are what mostly impact the healing of flawed familial relationships, or the even eradication thereof.

Indubitably, the primal reason why you should watch this film right away is because of Lily Tomlinâ??s fierce performance as the grandma Elle, who will not only stop at nothing to make sure her granddaughter stands up for herself and makes the right decision, but who will also show that the grandparent-grandchild is a perk worth cherishing, because it is extremely different from the parent-child relationship. Mourning from the recent passing of her lifetime partner, somewhat broke from paying off her debts, and without any solid relationship with her family, Elle speaks on behalf of the aged people whose elderly years are nowhere near â??goldenâ??. However, in spite of all of this, Elleâ??s radiant, sassy, and progressive personality, quickly turn her into an icon of female empowerment within this film. However, let me be more specific and add something to that past statement: She successfully transmits ELDERLY female empowerment, and even if the aforementioned is not new in cinema, I believe it is a multifaceted perspective on feminism which will always be relevant and unique in and of itself.

Julia Garner is amazing as well as the granddaughter who not well versed in life choices, and it was a delight to see Marcia Gay Harden as the neurotic mom who works full time and who places a treadmill below her desk just to be time-efficient and a little bit closer to perfection.

As you can see, â??Grandmaâ?? is so simple, yet it is quite deep and poignant. This is a cross-generational tale that provide snippets of identity to all generations, and thatâ??s a pretty awesome thing to do with such a simple story.