Grandma is a film with a lot of ambition; with its strong female characters and name-dropping of classic feminist texts, it tries very hard to be clever and spunky. It does have its moments: Lily Tomlin is extremely well cast and the supporting actors shine in the few scenes they are each allocated.

However the film does feel contrived, some lines really come out flat, and the whole story doesn’t really need to take place in a day. The film does not embrace the subtleties the medium offers, making one wonder whether it would work better as a play.

With its addressing issues of ‘old feminism’ in the 21st century, Grandma is definitely intriguing, though it is also a little disappointing.

RATING: 2/5

INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Paul Weitz

WRITERS: Paul Weitz

CAST: Lily Tomlin, Julia Garner, Marcia Gay Harden, Laverne Cox, Judy Greer, Sam Elliot, Nat Wolff

SYNOPSIS: After breaking up with her girlfriend Elle tries to help her granddaughter get together the money for an abortion.

The screening of Grandma was kindly provided by The New Zealand Film Festival.