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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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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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
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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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.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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