Grandma
Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: August 21, 2015
6.9
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 68 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
45
Mixed:
17
Negative:
6
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
TVJerrySep 22, 2015
This film revolves around the title character (Lily Tomlin), an unhappy lesbian who's just broken up with her girlfriend. Almost immediately, her granddaughter shows up needing $600 to pay for an abortion. They spend the rest of the timeThis film revolves around the title character (Lily Tomlin), an unhappy lesbian who's just broken up with her girlfriend. Almost immediately, her granddaughter shows up needing $600 to pay for an abortion. They spend the rest of the time trying to raise the cash. Tomlin is enjoyably cantankerous and cruel-mouthed as she runs thru her repertoire of old friends and flames (including Sam Elliott in the most sensitive performance of his career). There are only a few outright laughs (and most of them are in the trailer), but the spunky energy of the relationships and Tomlin's undeniable force tint the film toward upbeat humor. An entertaining character study.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
whitewindSep 25, 2015
Lily Tomlin is terrific as the grandmother of Sage, who comes to her with a problem which she is unable to broach with her mother. "Grandma", in her own inimitable style, goes out of her way to help Sage out in the face of many trials whichLily Tomlin is terrific as the grandmother of Sage, who comes to her with a problem which she is unable to broach with her mother. "Grandma", in her own inimitable style, goes out of her way to help Sage out in the face of many trials which make up the core of the movie. Lily Tomlin is just wonderful in her assertive passion to help. This is a movie not to be missed.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
beingryanjudeAug 21, 2015
On paper, Paul Weitz has created a “Grandma” - one that embodies a grandmotherly matriachal character as well as this devastating “anti-Grandma” persona. Through Lily, we are drawn to her honesty and her ability to recognize what’s right -On paper, Paul Weitz has created a “Grandma” - one that embodies a grandmotherly matriachal character as well as this devastating “anti-Grandma” persona. Through Lily, we are drawn to her honesty and her ability to recognize what’s right - even as difficult that may be. After all this time, Lily may finally get the Oscar win she deserves.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
sanyrubApr 9, 2016
Short but very entertaining and sharp film with great actors in it. The grandmother: legend! The story may be controversial for some judgemental religious people but 90% of the world will enjoy it. Totally recommendable.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
Brent_MarchantAug 29, 2015
A touching, well-written comedy-drama about the choices we make, especially with regard to the people in our lives and the relationships we choose to have with them (and with ourselves). Despite a few somewhat unlikely plot elements, the filmA touching, well-written comedy-drama about the choices we make, especially with regard to the people in our lives and the relationships we choose to have with them (and with ourselves). Despite a few somewhat unlikely plot elements, the film features a virtuoso, award-worthy performance by Lily Tomlin, along with a terrific supporting cast. Go see this one -- easily one of this year's best thus far.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
smiyamotFeb 11, 2016
Interesting story about personal relationships, and how the individual makes the relationship bloom or die. We start with Grandma breaking up her current relationship, then we see the Grandma granddaughter relationship, the granddaughter andInteresting story about personal relationships, and how the individual makes the relationship bloom or die. We start with Grandma breaking up her current relationship, then we see the Grandma granddaughter relationship, the granddaughter and boyfriend relationship, and on and on. There is a story line about the granddaughter getting an abortion, but the movie is really about the interpersonal relationships and growth. If you are not in the mood for that kind of movie, you won't like this.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
EpicLadySpongeApr 1, 2016
Grandma feels old, but it's still fun to watch as the events in this film are imperceptible by newbags in movies. You'll love a bit of it just like your grandmother.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
LamontRaymondAug 23, 2015
Quite possibly the best movie I've seen this year. What an incredibly sensitive and accurate portrayal of so many issues surrounding abortion. Sam Eliot's role is incredibly well conceived and acted. Lily Tomlin is amazing. And theQuite possibly the best movie I've seen this year. What an incredibly sensitive and accurate portrayal of so many issues surrounding abortion. Sam Eliot's role is incredibly well conceived and acted. Lily Tomlin is amazing. And the writing & directing are both superb. Highly recommended.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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5
j1trainSep 28, 2015
It has its moments (Marcia Gay Harden are in some of its best), but an uneven rhythm and lack of chemistry between Lily Tomlin and Julia Garner (not to mention Judy Greer) dampens much of the impact.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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2
LowbrowCinemaAug 23, 2015
The trailer made me groan but then those glowing reviews! GRANDMA is like an annoying person you don't want to be around. But worst of all is just how utterly contrived and typical it is. OK, it's better than the really crappy trailer, andThe trailer made me groan but then those glowing reviews! GRANDMA is like an annoying person you don't want to be around. But worst of all is just how utterly contrived and typical it is. OK, it's better than the really crappy trailer, and thank god it's only 75 minutes long. Even Tomlin is nothing special. In fact, she's actually better in the truly dreadful FRANKIE & GRACE. So she may be on a roll but a roll down Niagara Falls is still the end of your life. Yikes. You can skip GRANDMA. Really no reason to see it. Small thing, please let me age like Sam Elliott.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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1
rachelauerSep 27, 2015
Despite its potential, this movie was fairly disappointing. The central plot was underwhelming, as were the supporting vignettes, and the characters were predictable and bland.
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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1
higherstandardsSep 27, 2015
This movie knocked modern feminism down a peg or two, which is a real shame. A humble budget should be no excuse for poor writing, directing, and acting. Apart from their financial irresponsibility, grandmother and granddaughter appeared toThis movie knocked modern feminism down a peg or two, which is a real shame. A humble budget should be no excuse for poor writing, directing, and acting. Apart from their financial irresponsibility, grandmother and granddaughter appeared to be united only by their shared hatred of the middle generation, which was relayed to us via energy-drink-guzzling, pink-blazer-wearing caricature. The lesbianism was overplayed, the grumpiness was boring, and the use of a well-known transsexual actress in the cartoonish role of broke debtor was downright offensive, as she happens to be well overqualified for this cast, script, and story. The one male character was simultaneously sleazy, good with money, and anti-abortion, which is a lazy combination of characteristics for a movie that appears to be desperately seeking some higher purpose. Even without these major flaws, the film would still be nearly unwatchable, thanks to the sloppy acting. I’m sorry, and Tomlin may be legendary, but she still needs to pause between thoughts and change her tone of voice to match her sentences. I agree with Stephen Holding: this was indeed a career-capping performance.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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9
GreatMartinSep 11, 2015
“Grandma” is a movie for every woman, grandmother, mother, daughter, any man who has been involved with the aforementioned, and definitely any fan of Lily Tomlin. She has been a force of nature from her early days in “Laugh-In” from 1970-1973“Grandma” is a movie for every woman, grandmother, mother, daughter, any man who has been involved with the aforementioned, and definitely any fan of Lily Tomlin. She has been a force of nature from her early days in “Laugh-In” from 1970-1973 to winning a Grammy for her comedy album in 1972 to an Oscar nomination for her film debut in 1974 in “Nashville” and winning a Tony Award in 1985 for the brilliant one woman show her partner of 42 years, Jane Wagner, wrote for her “The Search For Signs Of Intelligent Life In The Universe” up to and including a 2015 Emmy nomination for outstanding lead actress in a TV comedy for “Grace and Frankie”. If there is any justice in the movie business Tomlin should have an Oscar nomination for her role in “Grandma”.

Though her role of Elle is a tour de force for Lily Tomlin she has a strong supporting cast especially Sam Elliot in a scene that is the highlight of the film. Judy Greer, her girlfriend of 4 months, “Just a footnote”, Elle tells her breaking up with her, Julia Garner as Sage , Elle’s granddaughter, Marcia Gay Harden as Elle’s daughter, and Sage’s boyfriend, Nat Wolff, who is responsible for Sage’s pregnancy which puts the story into motion. Laverne Cox as a tattoo artist friend of Elle’s, Elizabeth Pena as the owner of a small book store not to forget John Cho as the owner of a coffee shop all have what are basically cameos but each impresses as being chosen for their scenes by the director and screenwriter, Paul Weitz, who wanted the best from each actor and got it.

Is Lily Tomlin Elle or is Elle Lily Tomlin? From the public persona of the entertainer we all know, it is hard to decipher if they are separate or combined into one. We see Tomlin’s highly skilled comic talents and in her scene with Sam Elliot plus an earlier scene where she grieves for her lover of 38 years, who died a year and a half before the movie starts, we feel the emotional range she can and does show as an actress or is it Lily Tomlin, the woman we think we know?

“Grandma” is a short film, about 80 minutes including the end credits, that shows Lily Tomlin as an actress who can turn on a dime going from sarcasm to laugh out loud jokes to putting a tear in our eye with, seemingly, little effort. It touches on pregnancy, abortion, independent women, loneliness, growing/being old and what that entails, fleeting fame, how we can hurt people unknowingly, how we hurt each other mostly in short but effective scenes. One scene alone with Elle taking a shower, brushing her teeth, is more than worth the price of admission.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
LeZeeApr 14, 2016
The mother of mother, that means who cares you in two-folds.

There are many aged actors in Hollywood, since Lily Tomlin acted in it, I won't consider it a bad choice. Because she was amazing in the title role, I never doubted since I sawThe mother of mother, that means who cares you in two-folds.

There are many aged actors in Hollywood, since Lily Tomlin acted in it, I won't consider it a bad choice. Because she was amazing in the title role, I never doubted since I saw the first trailer and the movie delivered as much as I expected. The rest of the cast was also fantastic. I liked the simplicity of its storytelling.

It was a short movie. I think that was an advantage for a small theme movie like this. Don't underestimate it for its small budget, the production quality was great, but you know it's packed with predictable stuffs yet very entertaining, a slightly under-appreciated movie. It was shot within the 20 days and in the era of mega films like 'Fury Road', there are audience to acknowledge for a little flick like this. Whatever your verdict going to be I say just watch it.

From the director of original 'American Pie', who had lots of ups and downs in his career, but most of them were low profile flicks, even though those had big names in the cast. This is one of his best, at least in the recent time. I know this is just a one-off movie, but I won't mind if the a couple of sequels follows from here. Because this is a wonderful concept, not just for fun, I consider it a slice of someone's real life.

7/10… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
FilmPhonicJan 5, 2016
It’s not difficult to see why some have dubbed ‘Grandma’ as the “feminist” ‘Nebraska’, both are charming and quirky Indie comedy/dramas that bridge the perspectives of different generations within dysfunctional families, and both starIt’s not difficult to see why some have dubbed ‘Grandma’ as the “feminist” ‘Nebraska’, both are charming and quirky Indie comedy/dramas that bridge the perspectives of different generations within dysfunctional families, and both star straight-talking elderly screen legends.

But whereas ‘Grandma’ lacks some of the Oscar-nominated artistic flair of Alexander Payne’s ‘Nebraska’, it certainly doesn’t hesitate to flesh out a distinctly “pro-choice” narrative that although relatively rare, is becoming increasingly common.

Lily Tomlin stars as a cantankerous ageing lesbian academic with a colourful but dramatic past which has left her estranged from her daughter and incapable of sustaining relationships since the death of her life partner.

‘Grandma’ sits somewhere between a road movie and a family drama and director Paul Weitz does a good job of balancing the comedy that comes from “Grandma’s” way of handling people and the pathos from the decisions that have shaped her life and the people around her.

And that’s what ‘Grandma’ is ultimately about, yes it’s a “dramedy” from a lesbian perspective, but really it’s a film about the choices in life. From the “pro-choice” stance taken regarding the central abortion theme that drives the narrative, and which some audiences may take issue with. To the decisions that Tomlin’s character unapologetically takes which shape more than just her own existence, for better or worse.

But despite a distinct 21st century story featuring a gay main character and central driving theme of abortion, ‘Grandma’ is both a familiar tale and character, which we’ve seen tackled from a variety of angles. We’re all familiar with the elderly scrooge-like character that goes on a journey which leads to self-discovery and redemption.

Despite Lily Tomlin’s strong central performance, the rest of the cast don’t quite manage to reach her heights, with the main grandma-granddaughter relationship lacking in chemistry, all within a narrative that’s too familiar and which predictably wraps things up in a bow.

The Bottom Line…
‘Grandma’ features a distinguished Lily Tomlin central performance within a funny and occasionally touching 21st Century story, but a rather familiar narrative and predictable characters, plus a lack of nuance make this an entertaining little “dramedy” rather than a modern Indie gem.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
RickBellJun 8, 2016
It was OK but not exceptional. Lily Tomlin gives an uneven and sometimes engaging performance and mixes a lot of elderly rage that is both amusing and uncomfortable watching. The emotions and storyline don't ring as authentic too many times.It was OK but not exceptional. Lily Tomlin gives an uneven and sometimes engaging performance and mixes a lot of elderly rage that is both amusing and uncomfortable watching. The emotions and storyline don't ring as authentic too many times. Gimmicky at times -- an old woman physically assaulting a young punk or a child punching an old woman. Vanity casting where Tomlin's lesbian lover is in her late twenties and she is around 70 which isn't very believable given her extremely unpleasant demeanor and wilting bitterness without any readily evident redeeming qualities. I realize that Tomlin is an icon and we are required as is tradition to take every opportunity to heap praise on her before she goes, but this movie could have been much better.… Expand
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10
kre8gateSep 24, 2015
Grandma is tough, funny, impulsive, crazy and very committed to helping her fragile angel of a grandchild. I love seeing an older woman with energy and sexuality and a huge heart, for once. I've never seen Elliott better and Tomlin isGrandma is tough, funny, impulsive, crazy and very committed to helping her fragile angel of a grandchild. I love seeing an older woman with energy and sexuality and a huge heart, for once. I've never seen Elliott better and Tomlin is inspired. Grandma is why I love movies.… Expand
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7
JLuis_001Sep 7, 2017
Grandma lasts only 78 minutes, but there is a good balance between during the whole movie, the rest is not much but exemplifies the general message of the whole film, and that message is simple, the decisions and the choices we make forGrandma lasts only 78 minutes, but there is a good balance between during the whole movie, the rest is not much but exemplifies the general message of the whole film, and that message is simple, the decisions and the choices we make for better or worse and how they will charge us over time.

Simple and practical, but with a message well done and well delineated, of course I recommend it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
geewahJun 17, 2021
Led by the brilliant Tomlin, this dramedy takes on a sensitive subject with gusto and humour.
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