Grandma film review ★★★★★

Paul Weitz' latest charming comedy-drama has generated some Oscar buzz for a comically brilliant performance from its lead, Lily Tomlin.
Lily Tomlin plays lesbian academic Elle Reid, a cantankerous septagenarian who, still heartbroken from the loss of long term partner Violet, has also just broken up with her younger girlfriend (Judy Greer) after a four month long relationship. When Elle's granddaughter Sage (Julia Garner) appears at her door pregnant and broke, the pair go on a road-trip, to find the $600 needed to terminate the pregnancy, and on the way, confront members of Elle's past and present.

A quirky reworking of the traditional road movie, Tomlin is hilarious in the lead role, as her character teaches her granddaughter some harsh lessons with wickedly funny brusque force.
Whilst the film's feminist narratives are at times a little clichéd – Simone de Beauvoir and The Feminine Mystique make up some of Elle's bartering tools, this is a small complaint in what is a warm, witty film that puts its female foot unapologetically forward. It's refreshing to see older homosexual characters gaining larger screen-time – following on from the successes of last year's Love is Strange – without making the 'gay' elements central to the main narrative.
This quirky Indie comedy enjoys some good laughs, some sentimental, human portraits and a comically talented cast (Marcia Gay Harden and Orange is the New Black's transgender actress Laverne Cox also put in appearances), it's reassuring to see that Grandma will be getting a mainstream release in London cinemas. A realistic and empowering film with a strong female focus, Grandma is well worth a watch.

UK Release date 11 December.