LAFF 2015: OPENING NIGHT WITH GRANDMA

Sage (Julia Garner) and Elle (Lily Tomlin) in Grandma.

Just for the Elle of it

By John Esther

For its 21st year, the Los Angeles Film Festival begins tonight with writer-director Paul Weitz's Grandma.

A considerable hit at this year's Sundance Film Festival, the 80-minute Grandma tells the story of Elle Reid (Lily Tomlin), a woman navigating her life after her longtime lover has passed away. Afraid to ever get close to another lover again, Elle cruelly, somewhat abruptly, ends her four-month relationship with Olivia (Judy Greer).

That same day, Elle's granddaughter, Sage (Julia Garner) shows up at Elle's doorsteps unannounced. Sage is pregnant and needs the money to terminate the pregnancy.

Having just paid off her credit cards, Elle is short on cash. Not to be defeated, Elle grabs Sage and together they go hunting for the money needed for Sage's doctor's appointment that very day. While finding $600 will be difficult, Sage and Elle know it is easier to ask friends -- old and new -- for the money than asking it from Sage's mom and Elle's daughter, Judy (Marica Gay Hayden).

Quick, sharp and superior to the similar Juno, Grandma runs with fresh humor, biting satire, a little craziness and feminist politics (now, on the other hand, that mysterious cab fare...). Considering the tropes of too many movies (and TV) about unwanted pregnancies, the fate of Sage and Grandma can prove to be a bit unnerving, but it does not disappoint in its conclusion.

Tomlin's name is already being thrown around as a year-end contender (about time!) for best performance, but I would also suggest keeping an eye on Sam Ellot's performance as Karl, a man who was deeply betrayed by Elle many years ago.


Grandma screens tonight at LAFF. For more information: Grandma.