‘Thelma’ Review – Move Over Tom Cruise, June Squibb Is Our New Action Hero

The big picture

• June Squibb finally got her first starring role at the age of 94 in the action comedy film.
  Thelma
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• Thelma showcases Squibb's comedic skills and ability to deliver a hilarious and believable lead performance.
• The film embraces the possibilities of old age, avoids making fun of the elderly and offers exciting action sequences.

At the age of 94, June Squibb has worked with Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen (in his film debut), i Todd Haynesappeared in both Disney and Pixar films (including a role in the upcoming Inside out 2 this summer), and has earned an Oscar nomination for his scene-stealing performances in Alexander Payne2013 movie, Nebraska. But despite that impressive resume that keeps getting better, Squibb has somehow never been the star of his own movie. After all these years as an actor, Squibb has finally received his first starring role Thelma from the writer-director Josh Margolinin an action comedy that reminds us why it has been a delight in projects for so many years.

What is 'Thelma' about?

Squibb plays the main character Thelma, who is living alone for the first time in her life after the death of her husband two years earlier. One day, Thelma receives a call from someone claiming to be her grandson Danny (Fred Hechinger), who says he's been in a car accident and needs $10,000. In a panic, Thelma delivers the money by mail, but soon discovers that she has been the recipient of a scam. Their daughter, Gail (Parker Posey), and his son-in-law, Alan (Clark Gregg) both wonder if this is a sign that Thelma shouldn't be living alone anymore. But Thelma has other things on her mind: getting her money back from those who defrauded her. With the help of Ben (Richard Roundtree)—whom he uses for his motorized scooter—Thelma embarks on a journey of revenge to right this wrong and prove that she can still make things for herself.

It's about damn time June Squibb had a starring role

Thelma it's an excellent showcase for Squibb and everything that makes it so great. It's punchy, hilarious, unafraid to poke fun at its age, and completely plays with that concept. Even when the film makes jokes about his age, Squibb plays these moments in a very believable and understanding way that never seems like he's insulting the elderly. For example, on her journey to get her money back, Thelma will often stop other elderly people, asking her where she knows them, which makes both parties realize that they have no idea who they are. It's kind of funny, and just one of the many ways the movie makes fun of being older, but without necessarily making fun of old people, and Squibb is great in that vein.

After decades in the industry, It's also great to see Squibb at the center of a project like this. It's always been a memorable set piece in Payne's films and in her recent work with Disney and Pixar, but having her at the helm of Thelma makes it clear that he should have been starring in projects for quite some time. Thelma it's about this nonagenarian proving she's more than just an “old lady,” and Squibb shows her range in all of this, too. Instead of being the sassy wife she was Nebraskaor the charming older character, Squibb is proving to be much more than that. Thelma it introduces us to a character who is still learning and growing as a person even in her 90s, and Squibb excels at portraying that, from an uncertain grandmother who is easily fooled to the occasional hint of badass action star what's inside

But Squibb's best moments are when he's playing with someone else. His dynamic with Hechinger is delightful, as there is clear love between the two of them, and Danny never makes spending time with his grandmother feel like anything but a joy. But the biggest dynamic here is between Squibb and the late great Roundtree. While Squibb is against the possibility of going into assisted living, Roundtree's Ben embraces the life he has cultivated in this living situation. A key for what he does Thelma so good is his ability to never insult the elderly, but to embrace the possibilities of this new stage in their lives.

unfortunately, Thelma he sometimes falters when he leaves Thelma and follows his family, who have no idea what has happened to their relative. Posey and Gregg are not done any favors with this script, as their characters are the only ones who rely on elderly troops, and the pair decide whether or not to put Thelma in an assisted living facility. And while Hechinger is charming when he's around Squibb, when he's stuck with his parents, the movie turns Danny into a 20-something character who needs to find direction in his life. All of these characters have good significance in the context of the story, but it's with this trio that we start to see this story become more of a joke than it needs to be.

'Thelma's solid script makes this whole concept work

Again, Thelma it could have been a one note joke though Margolin's script makes being big a strength, not a weakness. In her bid to get her $10,000 back, Thelma uses her hearing aid as a walkie-talkie with Ben, their shared use of the scooter makes for some legitimately exciting scenes, and even plays with the expectations others have on the elderly to their advantage. in your search for your cash. Margolin based the part of Thelma on her own grandmother, and this care and love for this character is evident through her actions and the script.

Somehow, Thelma is a parody of the action movie, as Thelma gets the idea to follow her mission mission impossible, but Margolin makes the smart decision to make this a strong action film in its own right. Especially in the last third, when Thelma's journey comes to an end, Margolin manages to bring a very real tension and excitement about how this might end. It is, of course, natural nonsense that June Squibb is starring in her own action adventure, and this plays into the parody aspect, but Squibb and Margolin really sell making this a genre film in its own right.

Thelma is the definition of a light comedy, but Squibb and Margolin's handling of this pseudo-spy parody makes it a delight. Thelma he knows not to scoff at his concept, but rather to embrace the possibilities within the limitations, in a role that finally gives Squibb his first starring role. In his nineties, Squibb proves that he can be an effective action star and a great protagonist; hopefully, this won't be the last time we see her front and center.

Thelma hits US theaters starting June 21. Click below to see times near you.

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