What a fun movie! Granted, as I learned from reading the thoughts of another who saw the movie at the same time as I did, the film is not for everyone. But for me and my movie companions, it was a hit.
Lily Tomlin delivers a fresh and spunky performance as the complexly layered grandmother whose help is sought by her only granddaughter, Sage, played by the young but oh-so-savvy Julia Garner (whom I saw in Perks of Being a Wallflower and Martha Marcy May Marlene, two films with great ensemble casts). Tomlin and Garner come together in this film under less-than-ideal circumstances and along their journey, over the course of a single day, explore depths of their relationships—with each other and others.
It gives nothing away (and it’s in the trailer) to share that Sage is seeking an abortion. Sage turns to Grandma for help, needed that day, but Grandma is in the midst of her own relationship chaos (starting the film by ending things with her girlfriend Olivia, leaving the latter in a state of whiplash, not having seen that coming (with Tomlin acerbically adding that Olivia was “nothing but a footnote” to her life. Ouch. That stung pointedly on that particular day in that particular theater.)). We watch as the two of them navigate the day and work through a host of issues surrounding the background subject of Sage’s possibly pending abortion. And I felt the movie handled it wonderfully—honestly and with perfectly structured nuances of decision-making, effects, consequences, depth, complications, safety, protests, choices, and family. In other words, the movie dealt with the difficulty without setting the stage upon either soapbox.
(Now, this is where that other movie-goer differed. She was quite turned off by the film and its treatment of abortion. From what I’ve gathered, she and I are from two different generations. And we have different backgrounds and experiences. Nonetheless, when I know that someone has reacted so negatively toward a film I view so positively, I do like to give a nod to the fact that, as always, movies are seen through the lenses of our own experiences. )
As the day progresses, although the movie seems to be centered around Sage’s need, we realize it’s Grandma who is facing her own history and her own relationships. We create a path with our pasts—sometimes we can navigate back over the same footsteps that got us here, but sometimes the weeds have grown too thick behind us. But the love and wisdom this grandmother can share with her granddaughter fuel her willingness to do so. Sometimes it’s good; sometimes not so much. But the touching nature of the relationship between the two of them leaves you with a hug around your shoulders.
Tomlin shines in this role. She is beautiful and funny and perfectly suited for expressing the love, the bitterness, the anger, and the loneliness she displays. The rest of the cast supports her well.
Again, this might not be the right movie for everyone. But I thought it was perfectly refreshing. I laughed, I’m sure I got teary-eyed a time or two, and I laughed some more. (My movie companions and I laughed a LOT. And considering that two of us have very distinct laughs, well, I’m sure that made it all the funnier in the small theater.) I highly recommend you spend an afternoon with Grandma.