Grandma

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: August 21, 2015

6.9	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 68 Ratings

USER RATING DISTRIBUTION

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Review this movie

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.

Check box if your review contains spoilers

0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User score By date Most helpful

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

All this user's reviews

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

All this user's reviews

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

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews