Thelmafollows the titular character, played byJune Squibb, a senior citizen on a mission. After being scammed by a con artist, Thelma goes on a quest not only to get her money back but also to seek justice. Along the way, she rediscovers herself in this new chapter of her life, gets closer to her family, and explores love and friendship. The movie pairs smart social commentary on how society views the elderly with hilarious commentary that makes the protagonist and her crew endearing.
There are plenty of movies to delve into for anyone who was charmed by Thelma’s story. Some, likeMission Impossible, highlight the heist genre overall and what makes it so exciting. Others, likeThe Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, highlight how funny characters can be at any age.Each of these movies delves into some aspect of what makesThelmaso endearing as a story. Some of these movies highlight June Squibb’s talent as an actor and what makes her so compelling to watch.
10’Inside Out 2' (2024)
Directed by Kelsey Mann
Inside Out 2is a follow-up to Pixar’s smash hitInside Out.The sequel continues the story of Riley(Kensington Tallman) as she becomes a teenager. In addition to her core emotions led by Joy (Amy Poehler) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Riley has to navigate new emotions that come with puberty. In particular, Anxiety (Maya Hawke) wreaks havoc on Riley’s emotional well-being and throws her internal balance off.
Thelmastar June Squibb appears as Nostalgia, one of Riley’s new emotions. While this is a brief appearance, it is a poignant one. As Riley grows up and is confronted with multiple new emotions, it makes sense that Nostalgia would be a part of this mix.Although this character may currently be a minor part of Riley’s emotional landscape, the story makes it clear that Nostalgia will eventually play an integral part of Riley’s life as she gets older and looks back on all of her experiences.
Inside Out 2
9’Blow the Man Down' (2019)
Directed by Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy
Blow the Man Downis a comedy thriller that follows two sisters living in a small fishing town as they confront the aftermath of their mother’s death. They have to navigate the fact that their mother’s financial decisions put ownership of the family home in jeopardy. Chaos ensues as these two sisters get involved in a massive conspiracy and discover that there are many secrets in their sleepy fishing town.
June Squibb showcases her comedic talentsin this story, which has many dark elements. She plays Susie, one of the women who becomes involved in this conspiracy to protect the Connolly sisters.In addition to showcasing her comedic sensibilities, Squibb demonstrates her ability to play a character deeply earnestly. Her character is also used effectively to create additional drama and to show that sometimes the most unsuspecting people cause the most anarchy.
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8’Mission: Impossible' (1996)
Directed by Brian De Palma
Mission: Impossiblefollows the fictional Impossible Missions Force, or IMF, led by Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise). The movie is based on the 1966 TV series of the same name.Mission: Impossiblehas become a franchisecontaining eight movies to date. The first movie in the series set the stage for a franchise containing massive stunts and thrilling action. Each subsequent entry follows Hunt and his team as they are given increasingly complex and seemingly impossible missions.
The entireMission: Impossiblefranchise is one of the most popular heist stories of modern times. For viewers who were drawn to the heist story inThelma,Mission: Impossibleoffers so much more of the same.WhileMission: Impossiblemight feature wilder stunts than those shown onThelma, there are some equally compelling stories and lovable characters in both. The heist stories in each of these movies lead to some sometimes unexpectedly poignant moments.
Mission: Impossible
7’Nebraska' (2013)
Directed by Alexander Payne
Nebraskais a 2013 moviedirected byAlexander Paynestarring June Squibb,Bruce Dern, andWill Forte. The movie follows the Grant family and all of their dysfunction. Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) is an elderly Montana resident who takes his family on a quest to claim a million-dollar sweepstakes prize that is an obvious scam. Along the way, his family has to reckon with the kind of father and husband that Woody has been and what needs to be done for the future.
Nebraskais considered Squibb’s breakout role.As the Grant family matriarch, Kate, Squibb repeatedly steals scenes and proves how well she is able to balance drama and comedy. Both Thelma and Nebraska reckon with the challenges that inevitably come with aging and how aging parents impact the entire family. Additionally, likeThelma,Nebraskais centered around a scam designed to target senior citizens.
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6’The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' (2011)
Directed by John Madden
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotelfollows a group of British seniors as they move to a hotel in India. The movie starsJudi Dench,Bill Nighy,Penelope Wilton, Maggie SmithandDev Patel,among others.The Best Exotic Marigold Hotelsees each of the seniors go on respective journeys of self-discovery in their retirement years. The movie is based on the novel “These Foolish Things” byDeborah Moggach.
LikeThelma,The Best Exotic Marigold Hotelshowcases the fact that there is no age limit on compelling character development.Each of the seniors featured inThe Best Exotic Marigold Hotelare allowed to explore their own legacies and their own futures, like Thelma is in her story. These movies are both endearing because they show that it is possible to create endearing and deeply human characters, regardless of their age.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
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5’About Schmidt' (2002)
Squibb plays a minor but important role in this movie. This is yet another example of her succeeding in a comedic and dramatic role.It is a shame that Helen doesn’t play a larger role in this story, since she is clearly so important to Warren. In many ways, Helen is a catalyst for Warren’s development. Warren is compelled to consider what kind of husband he was to Helen, which makes him look at other aspects of his life.
About Schmidt
4'80 for Brady' (2023)
Directed by Kyle Marvin
80 For Bradyfollows lifelong friends who are football fans as they set out to watch football starTom Brady. These football superfans are celebrating one of the group’s completion of a round of chemotherapy. They get into increasingly wild shenanigans along the way.Lily Tomlin,Jane Fonda,Rita Moreno, andSally Fieldcombine to make up this chaoticand lovable ensemble as they set out to fulfill their football-related fantasies.
What makes this story so similar toThelmais that it celebrates older women and shows that there is no age limit on having wild adventures. These stories also both celebrate how passionate women can be at any age and the fact that it is never too late to fully realize one’s interests.LikeThelma,80,for Bradytakes older women on a journey of self-discovery and sees these women form connections that last for life.
80 for Brady
3’The Intern' (2015)
Directed by Nancy Meyers
The Interncomes from directorNancy Meyersand follows Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro), a retired executive who re-enters the workforce as an intern. He works for Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway), the CEO of a fashion start-up. The two bond throughout the story, and become friends as they work together. The two learn from one another and learn about themselves as they navigate the business world.
BothThelmaandThe Internlean into the idea that life doesn’t end at a certain age.Both stories feature protagonists who recognize that there is always more to learn and do and that life doesn’t have to end in retirement or widowhood. These empowering stories are both endearing to watch. It is always sweet to watch coming-of-age stories involving older adults who still have so much to contribute to society.
The Intern
2’Ocean’s Eleven' (2001)
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Ocean’s Elevenis a remake of the1960 movie of the same name. This movie features an ensemble includingGeorge Clooney,Matt Damon,Andy GarcíaandBrad Pitt. The movie’s crew plans a multi-million dollar heist against a casino owner. Each member of this crew has to use their specialized skills and experience to make the heist a success. The heist is ultimately planned for one of the crew to seek revenge against his former lover.
Ocean’s Elevenis a quintessential heist film with thrilling stakes and a lot of fun action sequences. The heist story inOcean’s Elevenmay be a bit more global compared toThelma.However, both stories capture the tension and thrills that are hallmarks of the heist genre. BothThelmaandOcean’s Elevenhighlight the fact that, no matter what the stakes of the heist are, anyone involved has to bring their most talented and authentic selves to the project for it to be a success.
Ocean’s Eleven
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1’Sexy Beast' (2000)
Directed by Jonathan Glazer
Sexy BeastisJonathan Glazer’s feature directorial debut.The movie stars SirBen Kingsleyas ex-criminal Gary “Gal” Dove. Gal is pressured into coming out of his version of retirement to complete a bank heist for an old criminal associate. Gal completes the job successfully, albeit reluctantly at times. He ultimately wants to return to his family, and to provide a good life for them outside of his life of crime.
Sexy Beastis the opposite ofThelmain that it showcases a retired criminal rather than someone seeking justice for a crime that was committed.However, both movies drive home the message that senior citizens can accomplish anything that they set their minds to with the right motivation. Both movies are about family at their core and demonstrate how one’s relationship with family evolves over time.Sexy BeastandThelmause humor to help their protagonists on their respective journeys of self-discovery.
