'Grandma' A Review

Grandma is a family dramedy that takes place over the course of one day about lesbian poet Ellie(Lily Tomlin) and her granddaughter Sage(Julia Garner) driving around Los Angeles making various stops attempting to collect enough money for Sage's abortion later in the evening. The film opens on Ellie breaking up with her much younger girlfriend Olivia(Judy Greer), around her home we see pictures of Ellie with her long-time recently-deceased partner Violet. Sage asks her grandmother Ellie for money and although she is broke Ellie sets out with Sage to find it. As they visit various friends and acquaintances Ellie's story gradually unfolds.

Although the plot is propelled by Sage's impending abortion the film is about Ellie the titular Grandma. Tomlin gives an incredible, layered, compelling performance. The script paired with the performances run a clinic in implicit storytelling, exposition and information provided through emotional character interaction. Each stop on the grandma-granddaughter mini-roadtrip is punctuated by great almost cameo-like appearances by some exceptional actors most notably Sam Elliot as Karl Ellie's ex-husband. We get to know Ellie indirectly, through inference, and how she deals with the various people she encounters. It is a wonderfully satisfying character study, patiently paced, punctuated by reveals, that build on one another and paint a multi-faceted portrait of a fascinating woman.

There is much to appreciate in Grandma. The mostly female cast, the honesty, the humor, the complex family dynamic, but Tomlin absolutely steals the show. An Oscar worthy performance.

An expertly constructed story, masterfully balanced performances, an inspiring complicated message.

Don't Miss It.