By: Russ Matthews
Unveiling a new chapter in the Mission: Impossible saga, Thelma, where the spotlight is not on Tom Cruise, but on the remarkable 93-year-old June Squibb (Table 19).
Not really, but the veteran actress manages to give Tom a run for his money. This marks a significant milestone in her career, as she takes on the first leading role in a career spanning decades. Thelma, a creation inspired by writer/director Josh Margolin’s own grandmother, offers a delightful twist to the classic undercover adventure.
Thelma Post is a widow who lives independently and enjoys regular visits from her beloved grandson, Danny (Fred Hechinger). One day, she receives a call from someone who claims to be Danny, who says he needs $10,000 to get out of jail. Frantically, Thelma does all she can to scrape together the funds and post them to the man’s address on the other end of the phone, telling her to send the funds.
Yet, she quickly realises that the whole thing was a scam and wants to try to get her money back. When her family refuses to help her, the determined grandmother enlists the help of her friend, Ben (Richard Roundtree) and his electric two-seater scooter. Without the permission of the family or the retirement community’s management, the pair head off to do all they can to get justice for Thelma.
Action adventures could not be more fun than this charming tale that taps into a modern scamming phenomenon that impacts the elderly community. Veteran character actress June Squibb and the iconic actor who brought Shaft to life (Roundtree) look like they are having a blast in every scene. Josh Margolin’s storyline provides a fresh twist on the ‘grey genre’ by respecting the age bracket while drawing comedic elements that will have audiences laughing until the satisfying conclusion.
As the mission gets underway, hilarity and fun ensue as each character is added to provide the layers needed to make this appealing to people of all ages. Parker Posey, Clark Gregg and Fred Hechinger deliver the comedic anxiety of a caring family. At the same time, each senior citizen who graces the screen adds the heart needed to make this even more enjoyable.
Thelma, an unexpected delight, is a must-watch this season. She will not only capture your heart but also leave you yearning for more adventures from this determined grandmother, a character that resonates with us all.
Article supplied with thanks to City Bible Forum.
All images: Movie publicity
About the author: Russ Matthews is a film critic at City Bible Forum and Reel Dialogue. He has a passion for film and sparking spiritual conversations.