GRANDMA

Acerbic aging poet Elle Reid (Lily Tomlin) mourns the death of her longtime partner even as she reels from a recent breakup; yet she must table her misanthropy when her teenage granddaughter Sage (Julia Garner) turns up unexpectedly on her doorstep in need of $600 and a ride. What ensues is an urban road-trip in Elle’s vintage Dodge to visit old friends and flames, rattling skeletons and digging up secrets all over town as the unlikely duo try to rustle up the cash.

Tomlin hits a career high point in Paul Weitz’s caustically funny and poignant family drama, as circumstances force Elle to confront her past and Sage her future, over the course of a single day. A supporting ensemble that includes Marcia Gay Harden, Laverne Cox, Judy Greer, and Sam Elliott round out the cast in this delightful, touching cinematic gem.

—Genna Terranova