Grace and Frankie

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: May 8, 2015
Season #: 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 147 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 116 out of 147
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 147
  3. Negative: 11 out of 147
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User Reviews

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  1. ThatArtistGuy
    May 23, 2015
    5
    A lot of good ingredients but perhaps over-baked. Great cast, great writers, good sets and good premise, but something seems a bit "off" and I'm not sure if it's been tweaked too much or it's just trying too hard. I love it when Jane and Lilly are on the screen, but Martin and Sam - while not limp or fey- seem like they're phoning it in. I get frustrated when they're on the screen andA lot of good ingredients but perhaps over-baked. Great cast, great writers, good sets and good premise, but something seems a bit "off" and I'm not sure if it's been tweaked too much or it's just trying too hard. I love it when Jane and Lilly are on the screen, but Martin and Sam - while not limp or fey- seem like they're phoning it in. I get frustrated when they're on the screen and hopeful when the gals are on, their lives seem far more fascinating than the men who've left them. I was very disappointed that the story line with Grace and the ex-con didn't go further, the contrast and chemistry between those two was TV screen fire. To supplant him with tired old Craig Nelson was such a let down. I think Frankie's hippie persona is painted with a bit too bright of colors, but Grace is spot-on as the uptight socialite. Favorite scene so far was the "might have happened" bit with Grace's hospital stay and soundly proved Fonda's acting chops during the scan scene and seemed more real than any scene elsewhere. Some laughs, but a lot of drag time and most of the scenes with the younger actors seem written by an entirely different crew. Not funny, not interesting. I realize they need to sprinkle in the rest of the family, but yeesh, those are some bad moments, especially of Decker who could use some serious acting lessons. I'm sticking with it, but only because I love the two headliners and the premise and hoping it finds it's sweet spot very soon.… Expand
  2. fitchpork
    May 24, 2015
    5
    Watched first two episodes last night. Wanted to like it. Can't. Sheen and Waterston are totally non-believable as a gay couple. And it seems like it was written into the contracts of the four leads that "actual acting is optional." And the quirky cast of supporting characters really clutters up the story without adding much.
  3. Nick052299
    May 14, 2015
    6
    This has great acting on display here, with Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Sam Waterson being the standouts and very Emmy-worthy. The premise is interesting and the dramatic side of the show is its strong suit but the weakness is the comedic writing aspect of it. I didn't feel like anything was extremely hilarious. I chuckled and smiled at some but not laugh-out-loud. It's more somber thanThis has great acting on display here, with Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Sam Waterson being the standouts and very Emmy-worthy. The premise is interesting and the dramatic side of the show is its strong suit but the weakness is the comedic writing aspect of it. I didn't feel like anything was extremely hilarious. I chuckled and smiled at some but not laugh-out-loud. It's more somber than what the trailer suggests. It's not Netflix's greatest show either, at least not yet.… Expand
  4. framewrights
    Aug 4, 2015
    4
    I was so looking forward to this show as the all star cast and gay theme were real attractions as well as the premise. Sadly, after watching the first 6 episodes, I am left wanting more. I am not sure what has happened to Sam Waterston's acting since the 1990s, but he is stiff and very affective. Lily Tomlin is limp in her role and Jane Fonda is equally as affected. I feel that MartinI was so looking forward to this show as the all star cast and gay theme were real attractions as well as the premise. Sadly, after watching the first 6 episodes, I am left wanting more. I am not sure what has happened to Sam Waterston's acting since the 1990s, but he is stiff and very affective. Lily Tomlin is limp in her role and Jane Fonda is equally as affected. I feel that Martin Sheen is the only natural in his role. The premise is genius, but the side plots with the "kids" is boring and adds nothing to the viability of the show. Let's face it, all of these actors were never considered top notch thespians, but sometimes it is painful to watch, particularly Mr. Waterston. I am hoping that they will "grow" into their roles for season 2. The writing is also weak, at times and in the vein of the Golden Girls, which I had trouble watching due to the acting style. Good try Netflix, but next time I would suggest having the actors audition. I think the draw is their "big" names, however.… Expand
  5. Eran
    May 9, 2015
    5
    I find it difficult to review Grace and Frankie due to its antiquated approach to sensitive subjects. Unlike Transparent, which tackles similar themes such as age, gender and sexuality delicately, Grace and Frankie sensationalises its subject matter much like the sitcoms of 90s. The cast is very talented and the show has potential, but it needs to be bolder and more progressive.
  6. Knighthawk81
    May 8, 2015
    5
    This is an interesting concept. A couple of women who don't have a lot in common and are in the twilight of their lives are thrown together when they find out their husbands have fallen in love and are leaving them. It's got a good cast -- including Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Martin Sheen, and Sam Waterston. I wanted to like it, and there were a few funny scenes, but on the whole the show isThis is an interesting concept. A couple of women who don't have a lot in common and are in the twilight of their lives are thrown together when they find out their husbands have fallen in love and are leaving them. It's got a good cast -- including Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Martin Sheen, and Sam Waterston. I wanted to like it, and there were a few funny scenes, but on the whole the show is a little too boring.… Expand
  7. BridgetS70
    Feb 16, 2019
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I loved to hate this show. I get that it is supposed to be funny but it left me just irritated most of the time and yet I kept watching episode after episode hanging on to the cast of side characters who kept me interested. Lily Tomlin's character, Frankie, made me cringe in every episode. She spends nearly every episode with her mouth hanging open like a chimpanzee and talking like she has cotton balls stuck in her throat. She is also a character that in the real world would have no friends or family left because of her freeloading, lazy, selfish, and insane personality. I had to start fast forwarding through scenes just to avoid listening to her voice. It was a far cry from the hilarious, witty and sarcastic character she played in "The Kid". The character of her ex-husband Sol is also cringeworthy. Overkill on the acting out of every stereotype was just annoying. I actually liked Jane Fonda in this and although I realize she has had a lot of assistance, she looks amazing. I also felt like her character was the only somewhat "believable" one of the main 4. Again, though, I doubt that her friendship with Frankie would survive the real world. All of the side characters made this show watchable and enjoyable enough to watch all 5 seasons. I especially liked all of the "kids", the significant others and the friends. Sam Elliott was a nice edition as was Ernie Hudson who both played believable characters, although I think Ernie's character would never have put up with "Frankie" for that long in the real world. Brianna was hands down my favorite regular character in the show.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Most Discussed TV Season of 2015
83
#83 Most Shared TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 27
  3. Negative: 1 out of 27
  1. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    May 12, 2015
    75
    Viewers are advised to stay with Grace and Frankie and watch it both blossom and bear fruit. It’s not a great, game-changing series by any means. At least not yet.
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  2. Vox.com
    Reviewed by: Emily VanDerWerff
    May 11, 2015
    50
    On the whole, however, the show simultaneously feels like it has too much going on--in that there are eight regulars to service, all with their own season-long story arcs--and too little--in that there's rarely any real conflict between the characters.
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  3. Las Vegas Weekly
    Reviewed by: Josh Bell
    May 11, 2015
    50
    Unlike Amazon’s Transparent, which deals compassionately with a late-in-life revelation about sexuality, Grace and Frankie is mostly content to recycle old jokes in a new context.
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