It’s probably safe to say the whole “no second acts in American life” axiom by Fitzgerald really no longer applies to modern culture. From Robert Downey Jr. to Mel Gibson, Charlie Sheen, "Full House" and more, American culture and media loves tales of redemption. But not every comeback story has to crawl out of ruin, some talents just fade into the background and then rise again for their second kick at the can. Actor Lily Tomlin hasn’t really gone anywhere over the last few years — she had a memorable role in David O. Russell’s “I Heart Huckabees” a few years back, but the comedienne is currently having a moment. Her Netflix show “Grace and Frankie” in which she stars opposite Jane Fonda appears to be a big hit after just a few weeks of release and the internet subscription service has just renewed the series for a second season.
Tomlin has also received some great critical accolades out of Sundance and Tribeca for “Grandma” (review here), an indie drama about a misanthrope septuagenarian grandma — who happens to be a lesbian and also just broke up with her girlfriend. Her life gets thrown upside down when her 18-year-old granddaughter (Julia Garner) shows up needing help. Here’s the official synopsis:
Elle Reid has just gotten through breaking up with her girlfriend when her granddaughter Sage unexpectedly shows up needing 600 dollars before sundown. Temporarily broke, Grandma Elle and Sage spend the day trying to get their hands on the cash as their unannounced visits to old friends and flames end up rattling skeletons and digging up secrets.
Due in theaters on August 15th, “Grandma” also co-stars Marcia Gay Harden, Judy Greer, Laverne Cox, Nat Wolff, John Cho and Sam Elliott. Written and directed by Paul Weitz ("About A Boy," "In Good Company"), “Grandma” was also selected as the opening night film of the Los Angeles Film Festival which kicked off June 10th. The first trailer for the film has arrived and you can see what all the fuss is about. Watch it below and let us know what you think. And check out the “Grace & Frankie” trailer while you’re here. Between these two narratives and Blythe Danner’s “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” 2015 has been a good year to not forget our elders.
