Chicago Critics Film Fest 2024 Review: Thelma

✰✰✰✰½​ (out of five)

Synopsis: The feature directorial debut of Josh Margolin, Thelma is a poignant action-comedy that gives veteran Oscar® nominee June Squibb (Nebraska) her first leading role and features the final performance of trailblazing actor Richard Roundtree (Shaft). Squibb, who did most of her own stunts in the film, plays Thelma Post, a feisty 93-year-old grandmother who gets conned by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson (The White Lotus’ Fred Hechinger) and sets out on a treacherous quest across Los Angeles, accompanied by an aging friend (Roundtree) and his motorized scooter, to reclaim what was taken from her. 

Review: Thelma is a delightful breath of fresh air. Squibb having an absolute blast of a lead role for her quirky, feisty grandma. Getting to do it with Roundtree (in his final performance) is just an added bonus--and he's great in it, too. Giving such a simple basic premise life with Hot Fuzz-style satirical action filmmaking techniques. The relationship with Squibb's grandmother and her grandson (Hechinger) is one that does not play to stereotype--grandkid is a jerk to his elders--but rather a genuine, emotional connection that truly sells the motivating lynchpin to the story's core. Thelma is a damned delight.