Thelma Film Review

Thelma Film Review | Thelma comes from director Josh Margolin, making his directorial feature debut. Margolin has worked in the film industry for a while, primarily as an actor, before transitioning into this larger directorial role. The film premiered at Sundance in January 2024 to very positive reviews. It is a movie that is difficult not to enjoy, thanks to its unique premise and heartfelt execution.

The premise of Thelma is rooted in Margolin’s real-life experience with his grandmother. The character Thelma is named after Margolin’s grandmother, who is turning 104 this year and is still alive as of this writing. In real life, Margolin’s grandmother was scammed, and this forms the core premise of the film. The narrative follows Thelma, played by the legendary June Squibb, as she seeks revenge on the men who scammed her via the telephone. The story is made even more poignant by the real-life inspiration behind it. Adding to this authenticity, many of the scenes shot in June Squibb’s character’s apartment were actually filmed in the real Thelma’s apartment, adding another layer to the project.

June Squibb’s story is absolutely fascinating and inspiring. She didn’t have her first role in a movie until she was in her 60s, received an Oscar nomination in a supporting role for her performance in Nebraska when she was in her 80s, and landed her first ever leading role in a feature film in Thelma at 94 years old. Her performance in Thelma is exceptional. She perfectly captures a woman who is fighting against time, trying to hold on to her independence, and aware that things are slipping away but isn’t quite ready to move on to the next stage.

A lot of the power of this film comes from Thelma’s relationship with her grandson Danny, played by Fred Hechinger. Hechinger has had a slow but significant rise over the last decade, appearing in films like Eighth Grade and The Woman in the Window, and gaining recognition from his role in the first season of The White Lotus. He is also set to have a significant role in the upcoming Spider-Man universe film Kraven the Hunter. In Thelma, he plays a character who, like Thelma, is at a transitional point in his life. The relationship between Thelma and Danny feels genuine and heartfelt, depicting a deep, unspoken love and connection.

Outside of this beautiful relationship, another significant dynamic in the film is between Thelma and her friend Ben, played by the legendary Richard Roundtree. Unfortunately, Roundtree passed away a couple of months before the film premiered at Sundance, making Thelma his last performance. Roundtree, most notably known for his iconic role as John Shaft, delivers a poignant performance as Ben. His character is a step ahead of Thelma in acknowledging the realities of aging and needing help. Through Ben, Thelma begins to realize that it’s okay to ask for help, highlighting an essential theme of the film.

Two characters that didn’t add much depth to the story were Danny’s parents, Thelma’s daughter, and son-in-law. They played more stereotypical, exaggerated roles of worrying, doting parents, providing a few laughs but not contributing significantly to the core narrative. The film focuses more on the relationships between Thelma and Danny, and Thelma and Ben.

The visuals of Thelma are another standout aspect. From the opening shot, it’s clear that the film was shot on anamorphic lenses. Cinematographer David Bolen used the Hawk V-Lite anamorphic lenses, the same lenses used in Moonlight. These lenses create a fascinating visual quality, especially when shot wide open with all the light coming into the lens. The result is a dreamy, otherworldly feel with soft yet contorted shallow depth of field, reflecting the film’s themes of transition and the blurring of reality and perception.

Thelma explores several poignant themes. It touches on mortality, not in a solemn way but by asking us to acknowledge the inevitability of death and use it as an opportunity to live our lives fully. It’s a film about the beauty of experiences and the importance of maintaining relationships with those who matter most. While the film is sad, it is more about celebrating life and the connections we make.

The film also delves into the theme of asking for help, particularly as we move through different stages of life. Thelma and Danny, despite their significant age difference, share a common experience of hesitating to move to the next stage of their lives. Margolin shows that while these changes can be terrifying, having a support system makes the transition easier.

One of the most memorable moments in the film is a line from June Squibb’s character, Thelma. As she drives in Danny’s car, she looks out the window in awe at the beauty around her and remarks on the gnarled trees, saying they shouldn’t be alive but they are. This metaphor, acknowledging the resilience and persistence of life, resonates deeply and is beautifully captured in the film.

Thelma is a touching, heartfelt film that explores profound themes with grace and authenticity. It celebrates life, relationships, and the strength found in vulnerability and connection. Through its compelling narrative and exceptional performances, particularly from June Squibb, Thelma offers a unique and memorable cinematic experience. The film’s ability to weave together personal and universal themes makes it a standout debut for Josh Margolin and a significant addition to contemporary cinema. | Thelma Film Review

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