In Paul Weitz’s slice-of-life dramedy Grandma, Lily Tomlin is Elle,
a cranky poet trying to scrape together $630 for her granddaughter
Sage’s (Julia Garner) abortion. It takes place in a day but manages to
glance at an entire life, beginning with Elle’s cold break-up with
Olivia (Judy Greer, terrific as always; in a too-small part, as
always) and ending with a reconnection—to call it a reunion is too
much—with her daughter (Marcia Gay Harden). In between she visits old
friends including Laverne Cox, the late Elizabeth Pena and a wonderful
Sam Elliott as her ex-husband. At a taut 79 minutes, Grandma only
has scant time to spend with each person, but not a second is wasted,
and Tomlin is a powerhouse, not so much revealing Elle’s layers as she
is breathing them to life. Elle is an asshole, but she knows it. Indie
champ Tobias Datum (Amreeka, Smashed) frames it all doc-style,
giving Elle’s rants the room they deserve, but the final stationary
shot is fitting and dignified. Grandma is a tiny, precious delight.
This article appears in Oct 15-21, 2015.