EDGY LOOK AT AGING
Lily Tomlin gives us an edgy look at the senior years in the new movie “Grandma,” now playing at the Edina Theater. As Roger S. explained, the Tomlin character is struggling with end of life anger as she views her 30ish lover who can look forward to an exciting life full of interesting relationships.
As for the Tomlin character, she has hunkered down to a debt free retirement, going to the extreme by destroying her credit cards. The later action complicates the plot when her teen granddaughter asks her for help in terminating an unwanted pregnancy. The scenes with the teenager offer an opportunity to bridge the generation gap.
A former husband, played by Sam Elliott, offers another look at aging from the perspective of a proud grandfather but interested in reliving moments of past desire with the Tomlin character. With so few films employing senior actors, “Grandma” is an opportunity not to be missed.
PINT SIZE ROMEO STEALS SCENES
I could hardly get to sleep last night with adrenaline pumping after Edina High School’s homage to the torchy ‘30s in their performance of “Crazy for You,” a new Gershwin musical. Teen Jack Fischer, playing the juvenile lead Bobby Child, has all the right moves whether it’s side stepping in tap shoes or just his over the top stage presence.
Talk about your Glee-full resumes, Fischer is a member of the International Thespian Society and has lettered in theater at EHS.
The ensemble has memorable numbers, singing and dancing that reminded me ofthe great Busby Berkley movies. This feast for eyes and ears involves incredible coordination and staging, but it works and is rewarding.
The irony for me was that these kids were chirping to tunes that my Mom and Dad grooved on when they were teens. Talk about bridging the generation chasms, “Crazy for You” at EHS is a landmark event.
The finale with the lead couple swinging on the moon is very campy 1930s romantic comedy.
1 comment:
Keep up the great work.
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