MOVING ON

US, 2022, 85 minutes, Colour.

Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Malcolm McDowell, Richard Roundtree, Sarah Burns.

Directed by Paul Weitz.

From 2015 to 2022, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin appeared in the television comedy series, Grace and Frankie. They also teamed up for this film as well as 80 for Brady.

Audiences will enjoy seeing the two leading ladies in their early to mid-80s, still commanding the screen. And, so often villainous, Malcolm McDowell at age 80. And veteran actor (Shaft) Richard Rountree. The film is been directed by Paul Weitz, writer and director of a range of American comedies starting with American Pie.

The situation is a funeral, Jane Fonda’s Claire coming from Ohio for the funeral of a friend, encountering another friend from the past, Evelyn, played by Lily Tomlin. The target is Malcolm McDowell, Howard, the husband of the dead woman, but Claire wanting revenge for his sexual assault on her from the past. She intends to kill him.

On the one hand, this is a comedy drama in the Me#Too era, a challenge to men who have concealed their assaults. On the other hand it is a comedy drama of mishaps, Claire’s attempt to buy a gun, Evelyn getting a gun from another resident of the Aged Care facility (in exchange for crisp bacon), the gun turning out to be a flare…

And, unexpectedly, Richard Roundtree turns up as former husband of Claire, now with his own family and grandchildren, rekindling past love.

While Claire does her best in her attempts to kill Howard, she is saved by his having a heart attack!

Slight, serious in its current exposure of male sexual assault in the past, and a reminder that strong performers can continue for as long as they can.

1. The title, getting older, but also taking in hand consequences for past life?
2. The situation, the funeral of a friend, old friends gathering, grief, past hurts, and the intention to kill?
3. The California setting, homes and grounds, apartments, aged care? The musical score?
4. The focus on Claire, Jane Fonda in her mid-80s, strong screen presence, travelling from Ohio, at home, her daughter, taking care of the dog, her surly grandson? The flight? Going to the funeral, the confrontation with Howard, his manner, her confrontation? Meeting Evelyn, memories of the past, their times together? The friendship with the dead woman? The complication of relationships? Claire and the confrontation with Howard’s daughter, later getting Evelyn’s correspondence, and the acknowledgement of the truth?
5. Evelyn, Lily Tomlin in her mid-80s, capitalising on her screen presence, the past, acerbic, the cello, unable to play well, the pretense of an apartment, living in aged care, her care for the little boy, encouraging his cross dressing, her clash with the boy’s parents, urging him to be true to himself? The lesbian character, telling Claire about her relationship? Her going to the funeral, her speech, after gatecrashing, the declaration about her sexual relationship with the dead woman? The effect on Howard, on his daughter, on the congregation?
6. Claire and Evelyn trying to buy a gun, not able to in California because she was from Ohio, at the reception, getting the knife from the kitchen, having to give it back? Still intent on killing Howard? The final revelation of the events of the past, Howard and his callous description of what happened, blaming Claire, the effect on clear for her life? Wanting Howard to admit the truth?
7. Evelyn, the aged care patient, his love for bacon, the gun, Claire cooking the bacon, in exchange for the gun, getting the orderly to get the box from the cupboard? The revelation that it was a flare?
8. Claire meeting Ralph, the revelation of the past marriage, separation, reasons? Ralph and his second marriage, his family, supportive? Claire meeting them? The invitation to stay the night, the effect on each of them?
9. The attempted killing Howard, Evelyn distracting from the attempt, Claire using the flare as a signal, Claire and her confrontation with Howard, his having a heart attack, the collapse, the hospital, the visit, making peace with Howard’s daughter?
10. Evelyn’s advice about not going to prison, and the satisfaction of Howard’s collapse?
11. The touches of black comedy, and the veteran cast?