June Squibb takes on this role and rolls with it. At 93, Squibb is the lead for the first time in this surprisingly funny buddy road trip action flick for the geriatric set. Writer/Director Josh Margolin cast Squibb and Richard Roundtree in his semi-autobiographical story about his own grandmother, Thelma, now 103 years old. The scam as portrayed in the film involved her sending 10 thousand dollars to get her grandson (Fred Hechinger) out of jail. She freaks out and does just that.
When she realizes she’s been fleeced, she’s determined to get revenge, and her money. In reality, the real Thelma did get that call, but, fortunately, never made the payoff. In the film, Thelma frantically calls friends for help, and even visits a few only to find that some are already gone or not as sharp as she is. Margolin lets us hear the phone calls which become desperate, but also some very humorous.
Finally, Squibb as Thelma heads for the assisted living facility where she gets longtime friend, Ben (Roundtree), to go with her to be backup on her quest to find the scammers to get her money back. Squibb was given a stunt double for the electric scooter scenes, but decided to do just about all herself, as did Roundtree.
Watch our interview with Josh Margolin for more about shooting this geri-action movie and Squibb’s own scooter stunt-riding.
Squibb is sharp and funny in her first lead role after 7 decades in the business, which includes starring on Broadway. Margolin turns the film into a slow motion action film using Tom Cruise Mission Impossible tropes. He’s Thelma’s idol. Only instead motorcycles and jets, they ride motorized scooters. And in place of Cruise’s in ear radio coms, Thelma and Ben share hearing aids.
Thelma is impetuous, spunky and has a mission which seems almost “impossible,” and Ben is trying to be the voice of reason. There are funny lines when getting a weapon. Their chemistry works as they face dangerous situations navigating sketchy LA neighborhoods. He and Squibb had great chemistry as scene partners and became friends making this film. Roundtree relished this role, which became his last, being able to show a softer, more emotional side as opposed to his Shaft Persona.
In the meantime, Thelma’s helicopter children, Gail and Alan (Parker Posey and Clark Gregg), and anxiously worried grandson, Daniel (Hechinger) go crazy trying to find Thelma before it’s too late. Hechinger, like Margolin himself, plays the devoted grandson who has nothing but love and respect for his grandmother.
Margolin put together a great cast, including a low key sneering, oxygen tank using, Malcolm McDowell who pops up when you least expect it. The film builds to a big action scene with a fun conclusion. Never underestimate your grandmother.
With Squibb and Roundtree, Margolin creates a whole new genre of poignant but fun action movies for the Centrum Silver set. Call it geri-tainement, and let it roll!
Magnolia Pictures 1 hour 37 minutes. PG-13
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