Film Journal 2024: Thelma
Directed by Josh Margolin
The premise is inspired, taking a classic espionage/spy motif and laying it over top of a simple drama about a 90 plus year old woman (played with undeniable and equally inspired charm and charisma by June Squibb) who becomes the victim of a scam and sets out to get her money back. Part of the inspired nature of this premise is the fact that it is advertised as an action packed movie, but ultimately plays to the speed of its primary target audience. I appreciated its willingness to commit to this level, right down to the quirky, unconventional dialogue and characterization. Thelma’s kids and her grandson are genuinely odd presences, filled with disjointed and often non-sensicle dialogue, and it feels like we are seeing them through Thelmas eyes, for whom the whole world has become strange and unfamiliar.
The film is ultimately about the idea of aging and what that is for both the aged person and the people in their lives who care for them. Here it proves to have a lot of heart as well. If it takes some risks tonally, it absolutely lands the emotional connection. A great smaller gem that I hope gets some love and support
The Stories of my Life 