‘Thelma’
At the age of 94, Academy Award-nominated actor June Squibb finally has her first leading role with Thelma. And what a leading role it is! Written and directed by Josh Margolin, this quirky little indie comedy that first premiered at Sundance Film Festival in January stars Squibb as an elderly woman who gets scammed out of $10,000 by a criminal who pretends to be her grandson on the phone. Rather than accepting this injustice, Thelma takes it upon herself to get her damn money back—much to the chagrin of her overprotective daughter and son-in-law (Parker Posey and Clark Gregg) and her doting grandson (Fred Hechinger). Squibb equal parts hilarious and heart-breaking in this feel-good tale about the autonomy of older folks, and the necessity of asking for help. Plus, it’s a beautiful and warm final performance for the late Richard Roundtree. RIP.