Moving On

This is a terrific little black comedy that somehow flew under the radar. It's very slight - I like to call movies like this an appetizer - but what it does, it does very well. Black comedy is very tough to pull off, but this film does a splendid job of maintaining its bite while still allowing moments of emotion and humanity that never feel manipulative. It is not a politically correct movie, and many will balk at the origins of its humor, but that's what I personally appreciated about it. Both Fonda and Tomlin are great, and they've obviously honed their chemistry to an art form after their decades working together. One could rightfully call them the Lemmon & Matthau of today's cinema. They are a joy to watch here, together and apart, and Fonda is particularly radiant. There is also a fantastic, beautifully understated performance by Richard Roundtree as Fonda's ex-husband that exudes charm and elegance. This film succeeds in melding comedy and drama where many other, bigger movies have failed. Credit director and co-writer Weitz, who also directed Tomlin in one of her best performances in GRANDMA as well as the fantastic Hugh Grant film ABOUT A BOY. I encourage you to check this one out if you have the opportunity. It's a definite hidden treasure.

This film is done a huge disservice by being slotted into the "comedy" genre, but I'm disappointed to see people on this site rating it as though that miscategorization were a flaw of the film itself. It should be judged on its merits, as a realistic film with a lot of dramatic, painful moments amid the more humorous ones. Painful themes of homophobia, misogyny, and sexual violence are explored, but it never gets overly didactic-everything is grounded in storytelling, and the dark is offset by the light. If you want a zany screwball comedy, go elsewhere. But if you would like a really resonant film about female friendship, strength, and resilience that also happens to have some very funny moments, please treat yourself to this gem of a movie.

How was I watching this for the first time today without even realizing it was Lily Tomlin's birthday until I went to Twitter and saw her trending?! It's true! I'll never understand how this stuff happens, but Lily must have sent me a telepathic signal telling me to watch this in honor of her special day. Thanks, Lily!

I really like, maybe even love, this movie! Even though it's very serious in parts, it manages to take some of the most serious subjects, and one of the darkest plans a person could have, and turns it into something pleasant to watch for the most part! So in that way, this movie really is a wonder. Jane Fonda was great, but Lily - I loved her character! I mean I really loved her character!

The only real downside to this movie is that I couldn't stop seeing them as Grace and Frankie throughout. But other than that, this is one of the best buddy movies of recent times. A new fave. And if you can believe it, even though it's a movie about a woman planning to kill a man for his wrongdoing in the past, there's a lot of heart to this film - a lot of sweetness and touching moments.

This is a movie that I would say is not for everyone, but those that it is for, will appreciate it a lot!

Happy birthday, Lily! Thank you for all the great entertainment!

On the surface, another star-vehicle comedy milking Boomers getting old. But there's no treacle and smug self-satisfaction at having made it into Californian affluenza, or having "transited to a new house of life" and fantasizing that you've matured past all that silly youthful Sixties stuff. But: at the next level down, it's an unsloppy depiction of daily life for the demographic bulge of Boomer seniors waiting for the day they have to trade independent for assisted living (if they can afford it). And below that, a surprisingly ambitious piece of film art dealing with some material that is not generationally bounded: women's sexual autonomy, and its being put under threat by the experience of "me too", and the brutal reality of abusive male sexual behavior towards women, induced by substance abuse or not, and its being accepted as "it happens". And the lifelong scars that it leaves. And the incompleteness of the 1960-1970s sexual revolution, especially for men. Not a perfect movie by any means, but gutsy filmmaking by a couple industry masters. Jane and Lily mugged just a little too much some of the time, but they deliver the material it looks like they were intending to deliver. Oh, and with all due respect, they look great. Well done.

As an 80 year old living in a retirement community and looking atvthe edge of the end of my life this film had a lot of interesting and poignant plot points. Early love among college roommates that lasts a life time, a tragic incident that affects one for a lifetime and an unsettled grievance much more important to one party than another. Both lily Tomlin and Jane Fond were terrific and although there are comic moments, this is a serious film, talking about serious issues. There are several unusual twists that reflect current issues, and that lead to a surprise ending which I found quite satisfying. And although recently, Jane Fonda has been a purely comedic actor, this role has some very realistic, dramatic moments that support her as a true and believable, dramatic performer.