THELMA

 

    If you're over a certain age have you looked in the mirror and startled yourself with your reflection? Who is that ... "old" person? What's worse you may also realize the changes you've made in your life for that "old" person as well! The things we once enjoyed don't give us the same pleasure anymore.

    I noticed that watching the latest, interminable MISSION IMPOSSIBLE that was more a collection of past hits than new story telling. The plot is long in the tooth now as is the majority of movies coming out of Hollywood today. The strike wasn't long enough!

    Checking out the new DVD's at the Palm Springs Library I stumbled on THELMA. It shows a jaunty grandma riding an electric scooter and being a senior myself thought "What the heck, let's give it a try." I am so glad I did.

    The tale begins with a slacker grandson showing his 93 year grandma (played by 96 year old June Squibb) how to use the internet. She catches on quickly and enjoys games, news even social media.

    This peaceful existence changes suddenly when she receives a call that her grandson has been in an accident that hit a car with a pregnant women. She panics and quickly falls for the scam. They want $10,000 in cash mailed to a P.O. Box to get the grandson out of jail.

    She tries to call her grandson whose still asleep at 10:30 am, can't reach her daughter or son-in-law so walks to the bank gets the money and walks to the post office. After her letter is mailed then they call.

    As a senior I truly wonder why we have phones. No one answers them and if you leave a message they, despite assurances, rarely call back.

Learning the Internet

    The reality of seniors becomes clear when she calls old friend after old friend for a ride home and finds they're dead, don't drive anymore or are in a retirement home.

    Family finally finds her and after a family pow wow where she admits sending the money they all go to the police station to file a report. The police can really do nothing especially since she threw away the P.O. Box info.

    She decides not to give up, returns to the post office the next day, finds her note (which brings to mind how often is the post office cleaned) and is determined to get her money back.

Have scooter ... Will travel!

      The journey begins when she attempts to borrow an old friends fancy scooter and journey from Van Nuys to Encino on it. The friend stops her but says if she's that determined he will go with her.

    Besides Squibb the cast includes Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, Richard Roundtree and Malcolm McDowell using oxygen, a role far removed from CLOCKWORK ORANGE. He is pathetically great as the villain.

    It has a happy conclusion and I don't want to ruin how it all ends. It is a clear warning to seniors to be more vigilant as they are alone and are targets.

    At one of their stops they visit a friend now living alone in a huge two-story house. As Thelma struggles to climb the stairs you wonder does the owner really go up. Thelma straightens things out and finds a cockroach under a plate. Jumping back the friend asks, "A roach?" She nods yes. The friend continues, "You get one and there are 10 more. You learn to pick your battles." I wanted to cry.

I want my money!

    As I said, there are few movies for seniors let alone those, that through humor, show the plight we have or will have soon. As friends die our circles get smaller and smaller. Our children and grandchildren are, in too many cases, the only hope we have.

    It's a thoughtful, funny yet serious warning to us all what it means to be a senior. 

    Squibb is an inspiration to us all. Another Senior film she's in is NEBRASKA that I highly recommend.

    

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