“DON’T STEAL FROM GRANDMA”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Inspired by the MISSION IMPOSSIBLE movies, THELMA is a fun movie that goes right to the heart. It has a strong moral worldview with redemptive themes. Thelma pursues justice, but she manages to show some mercy too. Christians believe mercy is an important part of justice. However, we don’t really know this until we’ve experienced the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. Also, love and mercy are too often an impossible task for sinful human beings. This is one reason our savior, Jesus Christ, enters the world and shows us the way (and the truth and the life). THELMA has some strong foul language. Also, one character has a drinking problem. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution.
CONTENT:
Strong moral worldview elevates the importance of family life, and evokes the inherent sense of God-given dignity we should show toward elderly people;
One profanity using the name of Jesus Christ as a curse word, four “f” words, four “b” words, two “a” words, and “s” word;
Some minor peril where grandma falls, and a car hits a motor scooter and smashes it to pieces;
No sex;
No nudity;
No depicted alcohol use, but there’s a discussion about a main character drinking too much along with a discussion about a possible need for rehab, and possible drinking and driving;
Villain smokes and main character rebukes him; and,
Selfish behavior, dysfunctional family.
MORE DETAIL:
THELMA is an extremely funny movie about a 93-year-old woman, Thelma, who’s been conned out of $10,000 and will do whatever it takes to get it back. Inspired by the MISSION IMPOSSIBLE movies, and supported by her grandson Daniel, along with her fellow senior citizen, Ben, “Grandma” goes on a mission. She fights for justice and peppers it with a little mercy. Lots of laughter ensue as she travels across L.A. in a motor scooter to catch the thief. There are a few obscenities and a strong profanity, so this isn’t a movie for children.
Thelma is the kind of grandma most people only dream of having. Her grandson, Daniel, is just as wonderful. The two have a fun and extraordinary relationship. Daniel shows her the ins and outs of the computer. Grandma shares her wisdom, with a great deal of “tangential” information.
Daniel’s overbearing parents, who lack trust in his abilities, pressure him to take care of Grandma and make sure she’s safe. Daniel loves Grandma with all his heart. However, he has troubles coping of his own.
Grandma will do anything for Daniel. She proves it when a scammer calls to tell her that her grandson’s in trouble. The only way he can be saved is if Thelma sends the conman, posing as a lawyer, $10,000. She unwittingly mails $10,000 cash to the crook.
When her daughter and son-in-law discover she’s been conned, they blame her inability to live an independent life. Thelma catches wind of their plans to send her to an assisted living facility.
Thelma visits an old friend, Ben, in senior living, and steals his motor scooter to go after the thief. It isn’t long before Ben hops on the back of his two-seater scooter to help his friend in need. So, the two end up cruising the streets of LA together to catch the thief.
Meanwhile, Thelma’s “helicopter” children are at loss as to where she could have gone. The logical scapegoat? Daniel. He “lost” his grandma. In a desperate attempt to feel secure, they put grandma’s security medic alert bracelet on Daniel. When grandma needs him most, will Daniel be able to escape the grip of his controlling parents?
THELMA is a fun movie that goes right to the heart. It has a very redemptive worldview. Thelma pursues justice, but she manages to show some mercy too. Christians believe that mercy is an important part of justice. However, we don’t really know this until we’ve experienced the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. Love and mercy are too often impossible for sinful human beings to give. This is one reason our savior, Jesus Christ, enters the world and shows us the way (and the truth and the life).