Written by: Josh Margolin
Starring: June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree, Clark Gregg, Parker Posey
Rating: [3/5]
The elderly have remained a prime target for malevolent individuals looking to scam others out of their money. A disheartening trend that makes it difficult to purchase multiple gift cards at a store as a rule because of the proliferation of these crimes on this demographic. These crimes typically do not receive the attention they deserve because after a certain age the elderly become an afterthought tucked away in retirement homes. Thelma fully acknowledges this reality for its lead character and crafts an entertaining film from it.
Living alone but also visited regularly by her family, Thelma (June Squibb) receives a distressing call from her grandson pleading to send cash to ensure his safety. After hastily sending the money, she later learns it was just a scam. Without any real recourse from law enforcement or her family, Thelma decides to take matters into her own hands and find out the culprits who did this to her and get her money back.
Defrauding the elderly has to sit atop the mountaintop of cruel nonviolent crimes, as the act of taking advantage of someone whose mental facilities may not be operating at the highest levels shows a distinct lack of character. Alas, this happens far too often, and as Thelma learns in her attempts to retrieve her money through the means presented to her, no one offers substantive solutions. Normally, an elderly person would just have to move on knowing they will never see that money again, but this film allows for some wish fulfillment as our lead character decides she will not settle for anything less than what she deserves. Therefore, we follow her assemble any help she can muster and try to take control of this situation.
Thelma splendidly captures the diminished capabilities and other realities that come with reaching a certain age in life. At 93 years old, Thelma has more days behind her than before her, and that usually comes with losing more and more of her peers. The film comically handles this by her efforts in trying to recruit help from others to get her revenge and noticing that the majority of them have either already died or are no longer around the area. She must also contend with needing to exercise muscles in a way she has not dared to attempt in years if she hopes to make it far in this endeavor.
As much as this film works as wish fulfillment given it’s likely someone of Thelma’s age could actually pull off something like this, it serves as an ode to the people of that age group and the resilience they still maintain. Even if they’re not in their physical prime, they still have plenty of wisdom amassed throughout their many years of life, and the titular character ensures to utilize them to get out of hairy situations. It also helps that this film remains fairly low stakes in what she must overcome. In the grand scheme, it’s about $10,000, a sum that will not make or break her retirement, but some of the major obstacles along the way include breaking out of a nursing home with one of the finest 2-person scooters out there. This allows for silliness to remain throughout this film, as the film does not try to elevate this into something completely out of the realm for what an elderly person could accomplish.
The main attraction of this film, June Squibb, also delivered in handling all of the humor and action this role calls for. Women actors in her age group very rarely get the opportunity to solely headline a film, and she did not squander the opportunity. She demonstrates some great comedic timing in conveying the reality of her circumstances and the humor that comes along with it. From trying to lecture those around her and utilizing the perception people have of individuals in her age group, this performance of hers is absolutely delightful.
In every aspect of its execution, Thelma operates exactly how one would imagine an action film starring someone in their 90s would look. This film establishes just the right amount of stakes and motivation for this character to go on a journey worth watching. Much love to June Squibb, as it’s heartwarming to watch her receive a starring role such as this one, further reminding us she’s such a gem that deserves appreciation.
