Grandma Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Grandma, fresh from a breakup, helps her granddaughter secure abortion funds, resulting in awkward encounters, a hockey stick assault, and a surprisingly touching reunion with Sam Elliott.

🍿 Grandma: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Breaking Up and a Sudden Request

The movie opens with Elle (Lily Tomlin), a lesbian poet, breaking up with her younger girlfriend, Olivia (Judy Greer). Shortly after, Elle’s granddaughter, Sage (Julia Garner), arrives unexpectedly. Sage reveals that she is pregnant and needs $600 for an abortion scheduled for later that day.

A Day-Long Quest for Cash

Elle, having recently paid off debts and cut up her credit cards, is broke. She and Sage embark on a journey to gather the necessary funds. This quest involves visiting old friends, ex-lovers, and acquaintances, each encounter bringing up past conflicts and buried secrets.

Confronting the Past

Their journey includes visiting Sage’s boyfriend, Cam (Nat Wolff), a tattoo artist named Deathy (Laverne Cox), and Elle’s ex-husband, Karl (Sam Elliott). These encounters reveal Elle’s complex history and her struggles with relationships and personal choices. Each meeting adds a layer to the understanding of Elle’s character and her sometimes abrasive personality.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Elle (Lily Tomlin): An acerbic and recently single lesbian poet who helps her granddaughter obtain an abortion while confronting her own past.
• Sage (Julia Garner): Elle’s granddaughter, a teenager who seeks her grandmother’s help to get an abortion.
• Judy (Marcia Gay Harden): Elle’s workaholic daughter and Sage’s mother, who has a strained relationship with Elle.
• Olivia (Judy Greer): Elle’s much younger ex-girlfriend who struggles to understand Elle’s emotional distance.
• Karl (Sam Elliott): Elle’s ex-husband who is still affected by their past relationship and Elle’s life choices.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Elle: “I like being old. Young people are stupid.” – Elle states this in her usual blunt and humorous style while highlighting her perspective on the different generations.
• Elle: “You’re a footnote.” – Said dismissively to her younger girlfriend, Olivia, during their breakup at the beginning of the movie.
• Sage: “You have an anger problem.” – Sage confronts her grandmother with an acknowledgement of her grandmother’s misanthropic behavior.
• Elle: “I’m not trying to ruin your life. I’m not perfect, we’re not all perfect.” – Elle shows some compassion to Sage’s situation, while acknowledging her past.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $600,000
• Domestic Gross: $6,980,524
• Worldwide Gross: $7,205,073

💥 Grandma Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘Grandma’! Lily Tomlin is phenomenal; she’s funny, vulnerable, and totally believable. The scene where she confronts Sam Elliott is so raw and emotional, it really hit me hard. It felt like watching real people with real problems, and that’s what made the movie so special for me. The themes of family and acceptance were powerful. Definitely a movie I’ll watch again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Lily Tomlin”
  • “Viewers interested in indie dramedies”
  • “Those who enjoy character-driven stories”
  • “Audiences who appreciate films about family dynamics”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Mature themes related to abortion”
  • “Brief drug references”
  • “Some suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Lily Tomlin delivers a career-defining performance as the acerbic Elle, grounding the film’s humor with genuine emotional depth. Weitz’s script is sharp and insightful, creating a compelling dynamic between three generations of women.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “A poignant and funny film about family, loss, and the complexities of choice. Lily Tomlin shines, and the supporting cast, particularly Julia Garner and Marcia Gay Harden, provide memorable performances.
• The New York Times: “While Tomlin’s performance is undeniable, the film’s episodic structure feels somewhat disjointed, and its treatment of sensitive subject matter occasionally lacks nuance.

Audience Reactions

Lily Tomlin’s performance is incredible!: Viewers loved Lily Tomlin’s portrayal of a complex and strong-willed grandmother, praising her comedic timing and emotional depth.

The interactions between the characters felt so authentic.: Many appreciated the realistic and relatable portrayal of family dynamics, highlighting the honesty and vulnerability of the characters.

Overall Consensus: ‘Grandma’ is a character-driven film praised for Lily Tomlin’s outstanding performance and its exploration of intergenerational relationships. While its episodic structure and handling of sensitive themes received mixed reactions, it remains a touching and thought-provoking indie gem.

Awards

1. Satellite Award (Best Actress – Motion Picture)- 2015

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The car that Elle (Lily Tomlin) and Sage (Julia Garner) drive for much of the movie was a 1955 Dodge Royal that is owned by Lily Tomlin. Tomlin bought it in 1975 for fifteen hundred dollars.”
• “Director Paul Weitz is known for more mainstream comedies like “American Pie” and “About a Boy,” making “Grandma” a departure into indie filmmaking.”
• “The film was shot in just 19 days with a low budget, adding to its indie feel and allowing for creative freedom.”
• “The film tackles sensitive and personal subject matters, such as abortion and LGBT topics.”

🖥️ How to Watch Grandma?

Grandma is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for purchase or rental on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Grandma, you might like these similar films:

• Juno (2007): Deals with the topic of unplanned pregnancy in a nuanced and humorous way, though with different outcomes and character dynamics.
• About a Boy (2002): Also directed by Paul Weitz, it showcases his ability to blend comedy and drama while exploring unconventional relationships.
• Tea with Mussolini (1999): Showcases Lily Tomlin playing gay in a similar role.
• Grace and Frankie (2015-2022): Also starring Lily Tomlin, this TV series explores themes of aging, friendship, and unconventional relationships with humor and heart.
• Beginners (2010): Features an older character embracing a new identity and sexuality, similar to Elle’s journey.

🛒 Grandma Related Products

• Grandma (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Download the soundtrack to relive the emotional journey of ‘Grandma’, featuring indie tracks that perfectly capture the film’s spirit. Contains exclusive tracks not available elsewhere.
• Lily Tomlin: An American Comedy: This biography delves into the life and career of the legendary Lily Tomlin, featuring rare photos and behind-the-scenes stories from her most iconic roles. A must-have for Tomlin fans.
• Feminist Literature: A Reading List: Dive into feminist literature with a curated reading list of essential books, including works referenced in the movie. Get inspired and continue Elle’s literary journey.
• Strong Women T-Shirt: Show your support for strong women with this t-shirt. Designed with a powerful message, it’s a perfect gift for feminists and fans of the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Grandma features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Gas” – performed by Moors

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies – emotional, moving and very relatable!

Looking for a movie that will tug at your heartstrings? This review raves about ‘How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies,’ calling it one of the best of the year! Sounds like a must-watch, right?

✨ Rate