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- Written by Randal C. Hill Randal C. Hill
Her name is Thelma, and she’s the least likely action hero you’ll encounter at the multiplex this summer.
After six decades of acting, June Squibb has landed her first starring role as Thelma Post, a grandmother who brazenly refuses to accept the limits of old age when she learns she has been phone-scammed out of $10,000.
Thelma is the brainchild of comedy-improv writer/director Josh Margolin. He based his story on his own grandmother, who had herself been scammed out of $10,000.
Onscreen, Thelma lives alone in a Los Angeles condo. Her daughter Gail (Parker Posey) and son-in-law Alan (Clark Gregg) hover over her, always alert for possible signs of a mental decline. But her ungrounded grandson Danny (Fred Hechinger) is the only family member who spends much time with her.
When Thelma is scammed, family folks pass off her experience as a reminder of her age and naiveté. She refuses to roll over, however, and instead sees the event as a clarion call to action.
She tracks down the source of the theft, then calls on nursing-home widower pal Ben (Shaft star Richard Roundtree, in his final film). Ben owns an electric two-seat scooter and can accompany Thelma on her mission.
On the way to their destination, Thelma stops to get a pistol. Ben is incredulous and asks, “Do you even know how to use it?” To which she blithely responds, “How hard can it be? Idiots use them all the time!”
Thelma is more than just a study in revenge. Here we witness firsthand the strength of a determined senior out to achieve justice in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
This is Squibb’s first lead role in a film that’s obviously inspired by the Mission: Impossible franchise. (Tom Cruise even allowed some brief clips to be included in Thelma.)
Squibb grew up in a small Illinois town, the daughter of an insurance salesman and a piano teacher.
“I knew I wanted to be in show business ever since I came out of the womb,” she admits.
She began performing in musicals at 19, moved on to the Broadway stage, and only began making films at 60.
At age 94, what does she say to ageist critics?
“I ignore them … I don’t really care what they’re saying.”
Film fans will recall Squibb’s Academy Award nomination for her role as a salty matriarch in Nebraska, the Bruce Dern classic from 2013.
There’s already Tinseltown buzz about a possible Oscar nomination for Squibb in this winsome work from Magnolia Pictures. Thelma opens July 19.
Randal C. Hill enjoys getting sneak peeks of forthcoming movies from his home on the Oregon coast. He can be reached at wryterhill@msn.com.