As a film critic with a deep appreciation for complex and emotionally mature stories, I was immediately drawn to “Thelma” and its exploration of the profound bond between a granddaughter and her grandfather. Having experienced the loss of my own grandparents at an early age, I found Danny and Thelma’s friendship to be the most solid and inspiring aspect of this heartwarming film.
Thelma is in cinemas now. Add it to your watchlist.
It’s quite surprising that it took 65 years for June Squibb to land her first leading role in a movie. She made her Broadway debut as a replacement in “Gypsy” way back in 1959, and has since featured in numerous significant films such as “The Age of Innocence,” “Far From Heaven,” and “Nebraska,” which earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. However, until recently, Squibb had only been a supporting actress. The comedy heist film “Thelma,” directed by Josh Margolin for the first time, is now giving Squibb top billing at the age of 94, making this her debut as the film’s leading lady.
In this role, Squibb portrays a 90-year-old character inspired by Margolin’s own grandmother. This grandma embarks on a quest for vengeance after losing $10,000 to a deceitful phone scammer, who preys upon defenseless pensioners. Despite being the main character and a significant milestone in her career, Squibb shares that her time on set remained largely unaltered by this leading position.
She shares with RT, “I hardly notice a distinction between them.” This woman has never contemplated the idea deeply. She’s used to reading scripts for roles she wants, so when offered a part in “Thelma,” she would likely have accepted because of its exceptional script. Her focus is always on the role itself and her desire to be a part of it.
Despite this, Squibb remains thrilled to act in a movie highlighting issues concerning the elderly population, a topic she believes has been underrepresented in films until now.
She expresses her fascination by saying, “I find this topic really captivating. It’s exciting to see Hollywood giving more attention to the issue of aging. There seems to be a growing curiosity about it, as evidenced by numerous articles and books on the subject. This trend intrigues me all the more since I belong to that age group myself.”
Based on my personal experience as a film actress, I can relate to the scenario described. While preparing for a role, I have often found myself relying heavily on the script to understand and connect with my character. However, having some background information from the director or producer can add depth and nuance to the portrayal.
As a movie buff in my nineties, I can truly connect with so many aspects of this story. Josh’s script is remarkably authentic. He never tries to make us feel sad about aging; instead, he reminds us that life goes on, and it’s up to us to live it. We must take that first step, put one foot in front of the other, and embrace each new day. This film beautifully portrays the importance of staying engaged with life as we grow older. I’m proud of this production and believe it offers an honest perspective on aging for all of us maturing moviegoers.
I’ve been really moved by the poignant connection between Thelma and her grandson Danny in this film. Acting alongside Fred Hechinger, who brilliantly portrays Danny, was an absolute must-have experience for me. In an interview with RT, Hechinger shared that being part of such a “complicated and emotionally deep” production was an effortless decision for him. He also emphasized his belief that the film industry should focus more on stories exploring the bonds we share with our grandparents.
He believes that Danny’s friendship with Thelma is the most significant and potentially only stable aspect in his life, finding it deeply moving and motivating. This sentiment resonates with him. During production, he noticed that everyone involved in making the movie held a personal connection to the story. They drew inspiration from meaningful relationships in their own lives. As they share this work with audiences worldwide, the experience of showcasing these heartfelt connections has been incredibly rewarding. It’s unfortunate that such friendships haven’t received more attention in films. He is proud and grateful for the opportunity to bring this story to light.
When Thelma embarks on her mobility scooter to retrieve the money that was stolen from her, the movie draws inspiration from various action films, subtly incorporating elements reminiscent of Mission: Impossible (as seen in an initial scene where June and Danny are watching it on TV). It’s worth noting that Tom Cruise granted approval for these references, although Squibb and Hechinger are unsure if the action star has fully viewed the film.
Squibb admitted, “We were informed… but to be completely honest, we’re unsure,” he shared. “He possesses the film or a part of it, yet we don’t know if he’s watched it. The same applies to us; we’re uncertain if he’s seen it.” Hechinger concurred, “We’ve been given approval to use the clip in the movie featuring June and me watching ‘Mission: Impossible’ on TV. I recall the day when we learned Tom had watched both the table read version and the scripted scene of us reading that scene.”
“So that was like Christmas!”
As a cinema enthusiast, I’m thrilled about the upcoming release of this heartwarming film. However, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness as I prepare for its premiere. Sadly, Richard Roundtree, who brilliantly brought Ben to life in our movie, passed away from pancreatic cancer before we could share it with the world. He was 81 years old.
I deeply feel his absence in this project, and it’s a privilege for me to contribute to telling his story. His acting in this film is pivotal, striking a perfect balance between tenderness, humor, and depth. He was eager to be part of this production and wanted to bring this character to life. I believe he aimed to display this aspect of himself through his performance.
During our penultimate week of filming in June, Hechinger recounts an incident that encapsulated Roundtree’s character on set. “It was June’s birthday,” he shares, “and everyone dressed up, putting on white wigs so when she turned around, she saw a sea of us with hundreds of white wigs – the whole crew and cast. Although Richard wasn’t supposed to work that day, he drove up and brought a bouquet of roses for June, wearing a white wig himself. He truly was a gentleman and an exquisite artist and person.”
Thelma is in cinemas now.
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2024-07-24 17:36