Grandma (2015)

NEUTRAL

Various

81%

2015, Comedy/Drama, 1h 18m

RT Critics’ Score: 91% (BIAS DETECTED)
RT Audience Score: 67%
Awards & Nominations: 1 nomination

Click to Stream

Critics Consensus

Boasting a stellar performance from Lily Tomlin and some powerfully empathetic work from writer-director Paul Weitz, Grandma is a dramedy that shouldn’t have to ask you to visit

Audience Consensus

Grandma is a movie that will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate the amazing talent of Lily Tomlin. It’s a heartwarming story about family, love, and the struggles we all face in life. Tomlin’s performance is nothing short of brilliant, and the supporting cast is equally impressive. The film tackles important issues with grace and humor, and it’s a must-see for anyone who loves a good character study. So grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the ride with Grandma.

Storyline

When his roommate spends the rent money on hookers, Alex, a 35 year old video game tester has to find a new place to live. After an “encounter” with his friend’s mom, Alex is forced to move in with his grandmother. Trying to save face with his younger co-workers, Alex says that “a really cute chick said I could sleep with her and her two crazy girlfriends” (meaning his grandmother and her two roommates).

Production Company(ies)
Cosmo Films, Distressed Films, Film Nation Entertainment,

Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics

Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)

Filming Location(s)
Los Angeles Center Studios – 450 S. Bixel Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for drug use and language throughout, strong crude and sexual humor, and nudity

Year of Release
2006

Technical Specs

Color:

Color
Sound mix:

Dolby Digital DTS
Aspect ratio:

2.35 : 1
Runtime:

1h 18m
Language(s):

English
Country of origin:

United States
Release date:

Release Date (Theaters): Aug 21, 2015 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 9, 2016

Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama

Keyword(s)
Grandma, Lily Tomlin, Julia Garner, Marcia Gay Harden, Judy Greer, Sam Elliott, Laverne Cox, directed by Paul Weitz, written by Paul Weitz, comedy, drama, R rating, box office performance, $7.0M, reviewed by Megan Garber, Max Weiss, Jason Bailey, Monica Castillo, Tara Brady, Brian T Carney, Richard Crouse, Chris McCoy, Alexa Dalby, Mae Abdulbaki, abortion, family, relationships, morality, access to abortion, mourning, loss, women’s rights, LGBT rights, character study, bildungsroman, dramedy, misanthropic poet, granddaughter, Los Angeles, unwanted pregnancy, empathy, producer Andrew Miano, producer Paris Kasidokostas Latsis, producer Terry Dougas, Sony Pictures Classics, limited release, English language

Box Office Details

Worldwide gross: $6,566,277
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $9,683,007
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,971
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,055,944

US/Canada gross: $6,090,172
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $8,980,915
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,651
US/Canada opening weekend: $3,009,341
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $4,437,746
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,116

Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA

Cast & Crew

Lily Tomlin

Julia Garner

Marcia Gay Harden

Judy Greer

Sam Elliott

Elle

Sage

Judy

Olivia

Karl

Lily Tomlin – Elle
Julia Garner – Sage
Marcia Gay Harden – Judy
Judy Greer – Olivia
Sam Elliott – Karl
Laverne Cox – Deathy
Paul Weitz – Director/Writer
Andrew Miano – Producer
Paris Kasidokostas Latsis – Producer
Terry Dougas – Producer

Paul Weitz

Andrew Miano

Paul Weitz

Paris Kasidokostas Latsis

Director

Writer

Producer

Director(s)
Paul Weitz

Writer(s)
Paul Weitz

Producer(s)
Andrew Miano, Paul Weitz, Paris Kasidokostas Latsis, Terry Dougas

Film Festivals
Sundance, Cannes

Awards & Nominations
1 nomination

Academy Awards

Top Reviews

Megan Garber

Max Weiss

Jason Bailey

Monica Castillo

Tara Brady

The Atlantic

Baltimore Magazine

Flavorwire

Bitch Media

Irish Times

GRANDMA
All Critics (174) | Top Critics (56) | Fresh (159) | Rotten (15)
It’s a character study and morality play and bildungsroman, subtly executed and lovingly performed.

July 22, 2016

Megan Garber
The Atlantic
TOP CRITIC
The best thing about Grandma, other than Tomlin’s furious and funny performance, is that Elle never gets too cuddly.

June 12, 2016 | Rating: 2.5/4

Max Weiss
Baltimore Magazine
TOP CRITIC
It is one of those performances, like Bruce Dern in ‘Nebraska’ or Julie Christie in ‘Away from Her,’ that seems a culmination of everything that’s great about a beloved actor, and a celebration of them.

May 28, 2016

Jason Bailey
Flavorwire
TOP CRITIC
In director and writer Paul Weitz’s mix of drama and comedy, there are stand-out performance from Lily Tomlin and Sam Elliott.

May 10, 2016

Monica Castillo
Bitch Media
TOP CRITIC
Paul Weitz, the co-creator of American Pie, wrote the clever, consistently funny, surprisingly affecting script especially for Tomlin, who hearts back with one of the best performances of the year.

February 23, 2016 | Rating: 4/5

Tara Brady
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
With not a wasted frame in its taut 80 minutes, this is deserving of your attention as one of the year’s best movies even if it’s being released in the middle of August.

December 15, 2015 | Rating: 4/4

Lou Lumenick
New York Post
TOP CRITIC
“Grandma” is a deceptively simple movie. Beneath the relatively straightforward plot, the film tackles complicated issues of access to abortion, mourning and loss, and the fight for women’s and LGBT rights with a light but insightful touch.

May 18, 2022

Brian T. Carney
Washington Blade
Good performances keep Grandma’s relationships dynamic and by the time all is said and done the message of life goes on, hiccups and all, is subtly but powerfully enforced.

February 3, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/5

Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse
Really, it’s just great to see Tomlin in the driver’s seat again.

January 10, 2020

Chris McCoy
Memphis Flyer
Lily Tomlin holds it all together superbly and her character is so refreshing – and so rare – to see on screen.

May 31, 2019 | Rating: 4/5

Alexa Dalby
Dog and Wolf
Grandma is an unabashed look at different generational and matrilineal relationships and owning up to your actions.

May 2, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/5

Mae Abdulbaki
Movies with Mae
The film does feel contrived, some lines really come out flat, and the whole story doesn’t really need to take place in a day.

April 17, 2019 | Rating: 2/5

Ellena Zellhuber-McMillan
One Room With A View…

Plot
When his roommate spends the rent money on hookers, Alex, a 35 year old video game tester has to find a new place to live. After an “encounter” with his friend’s mom, Alex is forced to move in with his grandmother. Trying to save face with his younger co-workers, Alex says that “a really cute chick said I could sleep with her and her two crazy girlfriends” (meaning his grandmother and her two roommates).

Trivia