Susan Granger’s review of “Thelma” (Magnolia Pictures)
Federal authorities warn that seniors are increasingly being targeted by scammers pretending to be their grandchildren and cajoling them to send money after a car crash, arrest or other catastrophe. That’s what happened to Thelma, an elderly widow living alone in Los Angeles.
A fraudster claiming to be her grandson calls Thelma Post (June Squibb), telling her that he was in a terrible accident and needs her to send $10,000 immediately. Horrified, she complies, only to discover she’s been swindled.
Her apprehensive daughter (Parker Posey) and son-in-law (Clark Gregg) cannot help, nor can the police. So this feisty grandma decides to get a gun and retrieve the money on her own.
Eluding her devoted, if directionless 24 year-old grandson Daniel (Fred Hechinger), who considers himself her ‘guardian angel,’ isn’t easy, but tenacious Thelma is determined to track down and confront the owner of the P.O. Box number where she mailed the cash.
She solves the transportation problem by ‘borrowing’ an electric mobility scooter that belongs to her late husband’s friend Ben (Richard Roundtree) who lives in a nearby ‘assisted living’ community, convincing him to come along for the ride.
Inspired by what happened to his own 103 year-old grandma (stick around for the credits to get a glimpse of her), screenwriter/director Josh Margolin adroitly spins a charming, surprisingly suspenseful tale, anchored by gutsy June Squibb. She was Bruce Dern’s ornery wife in “Nebraska” (2013), a role that earned her a Supporting Actor Oscar-nomination.
Now 94, June Squibb has been making films for almost 70 years but this is her first starring role. She proudly claims to have done most of her own stunts and has great rapport with Richard Roundtree (“Shaft”), delivering this final performance before his death in Oct., 2023. Plus, there’s Malcolm McDowell as an old codger who appears later as Thelma’s trek unfolds.
FYI: In 2022, nearly a half million American seniors were victims of elder fraud and complaints rose by 14% last year; the average victim lost $33,915, according to FBI reports.
On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, “Thelma” is a poignant, engaging 8, playing in theaters.
