It's been a while since I've seen an outstanding gerontological film, but Thelma is, in my view, an exceptional example of the genre.
The plot is straightforward: Thelma (played by June Squibb), a widowed senior, lives alone in her home. She maintains a close bond with her grandson, who frequently visits and helps her with daily needs. Unfortunately, Thelma falls victim to a phone scam, sending $10,000 in cash to someone impersonating her grandson, who claims to have been arrested and urgently needs the money to secure his release.
Once Thelma realizes she's been scammed, she decides to take matters into her own hands, embarking on a determined mission to reclaim her money. The rest of the film, without giving too much away, revolves around her pursuit of justice.
This plot echoes themes from other recent gerontological films that challenge the traditional, stereotypical portrayals of older adults as weak, vulnerable, and helpless. Films like Going in Style (where three elderly men plan to rob a bank after losing their pensions), The Duke (about an older British man who steals a famous Goya painting after being fined for not paying a government bill), and others such as The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared and Nebraska all depict older adults as resilient individuals who refuse to succumb to ageism and societal expectations.
However, Thelma stands out as a unique film because it weaves together a variety of gerontological issues: Gender—featuring a female protagonist; Intergenerational relationships—highlighting the bond between Thelma and her grandchild; Elder abuse and exploitation—focusing on financial fraud; Technological divide—addressing how older adults navigate modern technology; and Loneliness—exploring the isolation that can accompany advanced age.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching Thelma. It's undoubtedly an excellent gerontological film that could serve as a catalyst for meaningful discussions about the pressing policy issues facing our aging society.
I’ll conclude with a small anecdote: Thelma is portrayed by June Squibb, now 95 years old. One of my favorite gerontological films is About Schmidt, in which Squibb played a smaller role as the wife of Schmidt (played by Jack Nicholson) who passes away shortly after his retirement. Seeing Squibb on screen again, nearly 22 years after her role in About Schmidt, is a wonderful example of how an actor can continue to excel in their craft well into old age
2024
USA
Director: Josh Margolin