By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Josh Margolin
Starring: Clark Gregg | Fred Hechinger | June Squibb | Parker Posey | Richard Roundtree
Year: 2024
Running time: 97
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23778968/reference/
Chris says: “June Squibb found success late in life, well into her 70s and beyond when she appeared in small but acclaimed scene-stealing roles Alexander Payne’s ABOUT SCHMIDT and NEBRASKA; in both of these and many other film and TV roles, her tart irascibleness emitted the presence of an esteemed character actress. Until now, no one has built an entire film around her; enter director Josh Margolin, whose feature debut is based on his own grandmother (played here by Squibb), a victim of a phone scam bilking her out of $10,000.
“The thing about good character actors is that, given the opportunity to shine in a lead role, they usually knock it out of the park. 93 at the time of filming, Squibb’s timing and verve is undiminished, but with a naturalness and gravitas that transcends the ‘wacky old lady’ trope. She also leads an above-average ensemble populated with other great character actors (Parker Posey, Clark Gregg) and in his final role, an affecting Richard Roundtree. The film itself is as light as air (almost verging-on-silly), but Margolin’s awareness of this and the script’s gentle satire of suspenseful MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE like theatrics turn THELMA into the summer blockbuster alternative you probably never knew you wanted. 3.5 cats
“Screened at IFFBoston 2024; Magnolia Pictures will release theatrically in June.”
Julie says: “June Squibb did a good job in her comedic role as did Richard Roundtree in his more thoughtful role playing the character of reason and old age wisdom. I did not know it was his last role till looking him up just now nor that he played detective John ‘Shaft’. Other than some nice, funny and touching moments with Squibb and Roundtree, the Mission Impossible ‘geriatric style’ theatrics are what stuck in my mind. At least one very funny move used over in a few places that made me laugh so hard and I won’t ever forget. 3.5 cats“
