Lily Tomlin gets a plum role in Paul Weitz’s (About a Boy) comedy-drama as Elle, an acerbic, profane poet in her 70s.
Still recovering after the loss of her partner Violet, she’s in the process of breaking up with her younger girlfriend Olivia, and is defensive, angry and stuck when her granddaughter Sage (Julia Garner) pitches up – pregnant, and in need of help.
Embarking on a road trip through LA, they confront their own demons, and each other – with Tomlin simply superb as a grandmother staunchly defending her granddaughter’s rights, and whose curt, dry wit belies her painful past.
With an excellent wider cast including Marcia Gay Harden, Judy Greer and Laverne Cox, Grandma has screened to acclaim at TIFF and looks set to do so at LFF as well, with Tomlin likely to garner nominations in awards season.