Parents' Guide to

Grandma

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Feisty, sometimes funny, intense coming-of-age tale.

Movie R 2015 80 minutes
Grandma Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 15+

Based on 2 parent reviews

doctora
doctora Parent of 6-year-old
December 13, 2022
age 16+

Tomlin coming back in a BIG way!

Lily Tomlin being just absolutely excellent! This is a group of people that I wish existed...they feel so real and the conversations feel palpable. Tomlin just murders this role and it feels like a who's who throughout the film. She slays everyone in her wake in this film and we are all the better for it. The chemistry between the characters feels real and we get to enjoy the connections.
longr2009
longr2009 Parent of 10-year-old
November 17, 2015
age 14+

You will only love this movie if you love Lily Tomlin

The amazing storyline was written for Tomlin fans around the world. This Comedy is heartfelt and beckons at a broad array of the consumers emotions.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Elle Reid (Lily Tomlin) is a once-celebrated poet and college professor who's lost interest in most of the things that make life rewarding since the death of her beloved partner, Vi. Even a loving relationship with a much younger woman (Judy Greer) hasn't helped much, and brittle, cruel Elle winds up leaving her. Then comes the day when Elle's teenage granddaughter, Sage (Julia Garner), arrives, unannounced, asking to borrow $630 for an abortion. Elle doesn't have that kind of cash -- she just paid off all her debts, leaving her with little left, and cut up her credit cards. But she helps Sage gather money from old friends (some of whom Elle shares a complicated history with), all the while confronting her own demons. But whatever will Elle's estranged daughter (Marcia Gay Harden) -- Sage's mother -- say once she finds out?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (3):

Tomlin mesmerizes in the role of the combative, confident, and caring GRANDMA, lofting the film to a higher cinematic tier. She's a tour de force all the way, aided by a script that's unafraid to tackle difficult, sometimes controversial subjects with empathy and wisdom. Her foil is Garner, who, for the most part, manages to dish out nearly as much verve and vigor as Tomlin.

The film drags in parts when scenes are allowed to go longer than they need to, and some of the situations in which Elle and Sage find themselves in seem forced. But Grandma is a joy in that it allows Tomlin to show her range -- and a formidable one it is.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Grandma deals with the topics of teen sex and unplanned pregnancy. Is it realistic? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values on these topics.

  • Elle isn't a typical movie grandmother. What does the film make of her, and how does it portray her? Is she a role model? Why do you think Sage goess to Elle for help? Why didn't she go to her mother?

Movie Details

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