Grandma (2015)

Wait for cable. This Paul Weitz film has had some mixed, but mostly positive reviews, and we gave it a chance based on the cast line-up: Lily Tomlin, Marcia Gay Harden, Sam Elliott. As it turns out, the best, most persuasive performance comes from pale-as-paper Julia Garner, who plays Tomlin's 18-year-old granddaughter, Sage. Her role mostly requires looking on in dismay as the "grown-ups" whom she hopes will help her rant viciously at each other and dredge up decades-old animosities. By staying out of it, she is revealed as Sage the wise, not Sage the turkey-and-dressing ingredient. People vary sharply in what they find funny. Alas, I don't find a firehose delivery of insults and putdowns more than boring. Tomlin's character, poet Elle Reid, is unnaturally prickly and, faced with the pregnancy of her high school student granddaughter, she's not even sympathetic—or discreet. "She's already pregnant," she announces to a young man who glances Sage's way. The movie's plot revolves around Elle and Sage's attempts to scare up $600 for an abortion, scheduled for 5:30 pm the day the movie takes place. This is not a gleeful situation, either. I'm a fan of Tomlin's acting, but laudatory reviews to the contrary, she doesn't seem really engaged with this highly predictable material. The ill-conceived (you should pardon the expression) and flimsy device of the appointment deadline puts manic urgency into the pair's approaches to a succession of unlikely loan prospects. Tomlin's interaction with the loser boyfriend is unbelievable in every particular, and nothing written for Tomlin's character suggests she has a poetic bone in her body or the necessary mental discipline and insight for that craft.

Fmovies: Wow, what a breath of fresh air in the cesspool of recent films (okay, a few other exceptions.) As feminists, we roared. As parents, we nodded in recognition. As grandparents, we cheered at the clever handling of generational misunderstandings. As story-lovers, we appreciated a satisfying ending with validating resolutions. Especially liked the mirror rebuke of the 'Juno' film's preschool handling of full-range women's health care. Why does the right-wing hate women so much, and why do we tolerate that?

Paul Weitz, please write and direct some more films for these actors. We approve of this film!

"Grandma" is one of those short little nice independent films that touches the heart showing that life is full of change, hope and finding a new path for each. The grand old Lily Tomlin is Elle a past her prime college professor who's down in the dumps she's broke money wise and she's just broken up with her gay lady love Olivia(Judy Greer). To complicate matters one day her granddaughter Sage shows up one day needing 600 dollars and guess what it's for an abortion as Sage was knocked up by her boyfriend who hit the road! Then it's a funny and feel good road journey to obtain the 600 for an abortion and along the way it's a bonding of love and friendship as Sage's mother and Elle's daughter Judy(Marcia Gay Harden)an uptight and business like society snob provides the money for the procedure. Still thru it all each discover a journey of hope and a new beginning and Lily Tomlin's performance is shining even with her grand old age.

Grandma fmovies. "I'm not trying to ruin your life. I'm not perfect, we're not all perfect." Elle (Tomlin) is bitter and stubborn. When she gets into a fight with her girlfriend and they break up she acts tough. When her granddaughter Sage (Garner) asking for her help Elle takes her under her wing and does everything she can to help her out. What Elle finds is that this experience helps her more than she expected. This is a movie I was not sure what to expect. The few Lily Tomlin movies I have seen have been Big Business and 9 to 5, not really my favorites. I was totally shocked by her in this movie, in a good way. Lily Tomlin is hilarious in this and plays a role you have never seen her in before. Picture Billy Bob Thornton in Bad Santa as portrayed by Lily Tomlin. The stuff she says is pretty offensive and so out of the blue that you can't help but laugh. The movie does have a very good message and is very much worth seeing but the real reason to check this out is for Lily Tomlin. Overall, smartly written with a version of Lily Tomlin you have never seen. I give this a B+.

I thought it was a great film, very enjoyable as a girl and her grandma search for the money so that she can get an abortion.

The whole thing felt like it was two joints away from Being a stoner comedy, especially from the perspective of Lilly Tomilin's performance in it as the eccentric grandma with some serious baggage of her own who wishes to help her granddaughter, and on the this journey they take together the granddaughter learns a lot about her grandmother without coming all out to reveal anything. Lilly Tomilin takes first billing on the poster even though it seems like Julia Garner's character is really the center of attention as she explores Grandma's universe.

I Like Sam Elliot's role in the movie as well. Maybe he was just that charming, like he was supporting Blythe Danner in I'll See You in My Dreams or I feel for the character he plays, the one time love interest of Grandma before she came out of the closet. Either way it works.

It's an amusing story about family coming together when one is in need. We all should be lucky to be able to relate to what's going on. It's also about it never being too late to come though for those you love.

Very humorous.

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2015 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL: Paul Weitz gave the world "About a Boy" over a decade ago, masterfully telling a story through it character's relationships and actions. The well-received film garnered major acclaim from critics and got Weitz his first Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Since then, Weitz has never returned to that type of reception with admirable yet very visual missteps along the way like "In Good Company." In his newest venture "Grandma," the writer/director puts forth his finest work of his career. He doesn't get all the kudos though. Star Lily Tomlin, a veteran comedic actress that has been sadly overlooked too many times in her career, delivers one of the performances of her career. Possibly THE best.

"Grandma" tells the story of Elle Reid, a misanthropic lesbian who has her world turned upside down when her 18-year-old granddaughter comes to her help. With a day's journey in front of them, and with a goal in mind, the two women share their feelings with one another while confronting their past, and looking forward to their future.

Hands down, front to back, this film excels and soars on the work of Academy Award nominated actress Lily Tomlin. I can't recall a time when Tomlin has been more vulnerable, available, and prodigious as she demonstrates in Weitz's picture. Through all the vulgarity and rough edges, Tomlin finds Elle's humanity. You'd have to go back to something like Jack Nicholson in "As Good as it Gets" to find someone in a comedy who is so complex in nature yet so gratifying and beautiful in essence. Elle's baggage may be pushed down as deep as it can go, but Tomlin allows the audience to see what's underneath at the most suitable times. She'll break your heart and bring you to tears. Make no mistake, Lily Tomlin delivers an Oscar-worthy performance. Tomlin isn't the only one firing on all cylinders. As Sage, Elle's granddaughter, Julia Garner holds her own against the veteran actress. In another enriched turn, Oscar-winner Marcia Gay Harden delivers her best work since "Mystic River." A brief but sensational work that stands out. Judy Greer, as always, is terrific in her minimal amount of screen time. Someone please give the woman more roles to work with. Magnificently emotional and present is veteran actor Sam Elliott, who hits one out of the park as Karl. Here's an actor whose been virtually everywhere for the past five decades with stand out turns in "Gettysburg," "Wyatt Earp," "Up in the Air," and more. With a career that's been as impressive as his, with a turn as memorable as he delivers, Elliott should be among the conversation for Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars. He caps off an impeccable ensemble.

If there's one film at the Tribeca Film Festival that can become a conversation starter for awards at the end of the year, "Grandma" has that power. An enlightening and moving film that garners big laughs and big tears; Paul Weitz has created the crowning work of his career.

April showers bring May flowers, and "Grandma" is that beautiful flower for the season. One of the best films that 2015 is sure to offer.