by Izzy
Perhaps the only film you’ll see this year that features a chase sequence on mobility scooters, Josh Margolin’s directorial debut, ‘Thelma’, is an invigorating, emotional, and often hilarious foray into the revenge comedy sub-genre.
Inspired by the experiences of Margolin’s own grandmother, the film follows 93-year-old Thelma Post (June Squibb), who, after being scammed out of $10,000 by Harvey (Malcolm McDowell), embarks on a journey across Los Angeles with her friend, Ben (Richard Roundtree, in his final film role), to get her money back and prove to her family that she is still capable and self-reliant despite her old age. Margolin’s writing and direction is shockingly good for a first feature, expertly navigating the line between comedy and drama while exploring heavy themes like death and ageing.
Margolin ensures his film never becomes so funny that its drama feels trite, nor so dramatic that humour only serves to undercut the emotion. This is helped along by Squibb, whose performance as Thelma is the beating heart of the film. Squibb brings an earnestness and sincerity to Thelma that makes the character feel incredibly human and relatable, reminding viewers of their own grandmothers. The chemistry between Squibb and Roundtree is exquisite, with their journey of revenge across LA bringing both laughter and tears. McDowell’s grumpy Harvey serves as an amusing foil to Squibb’s kind and caring Thelma, with the eventual confrontation being hilarious.
The comedic trio of Thelma’s family, daughter Gail (Parker Posey), son-in-law Alan (Clark Gregg), and grandson Danny (Fred Hechinger), is endlessly entertaining, with Hechinger’s performance in particular being a standout, navigating dramatic and comedic moments with ease. The film’s cinematography is subtle, yet brilliant, suiting the film’s realistic style, supporting the cast’s performances instead of distracting the viewer from them. Overall, Thelma is a hit, and is sure to be a hilarious night at the movies for families.