The disappointing debut for The Fall Guy, which many expected to be the action-comedy event of the year, has experts asking what went wrong? What is it that audiences really want? Well, maybe what they want is an action-comedy led by…June Squibb. Thelma is arguably the most beloved film to come out of this year’s Sundance Film Festival, as it finds the 94-year-old actress as the most unlikely action hero and vengeance seeker as you’re going to find.
Written and directed by Josh Margolin, Thelma stars Squibb as a feisty grandmother who gets conned by a telephone scam, and sets out on a vengeful quest, aboard her friend’s Hovearound scooter, to get her money back.
The cast includes the late Richard Roundtree, Fred Hechinger, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, Malcolm McDowell, and Nicole Byer.
And don’t think that age held Squibb back at all. She did most of her own stunts in the film, clearly putting Tom Cruise to shame.
Margolin based the story on the real-life experiences of his mother, who sounds like an awesome woman in need of a movie all to herself.
Here’s the 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. Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, and Malcolm McDowell also star.
Thelma opens in theaters on June 21st.
