TEHRAN- “Thelma”, a 2024 comedy movie directed by American director Josh Margolin, will go on screen at the Andisheh Cultural Center in Tehran on Monday. 

A review session will be held with the presence of the film critics Mojtaba Ardeshiri and Mohsen Soleimani Fakher after the screening.

"Thelma" is an exploration of aging, independence, and the intricate bonds of family. At the age of 93, Thelma Post manages to live independently in Los Angeles, but she grapples with an uneasy sense of being patronized by her loving yet somewhat aimless grandson, Daniel ‘Danny’ Markowitz. Despite Danny's good intentions, his protectiveness often makes Thelma feel as though she is losing her autonomy. The turning point comes when a scammer impersonates Danny, prompting Thelma to send $10,000 in a panic, believing she is helping her grandson. When the scam is eventually uncovered, she finds herself confronting not only the immediate loss of money but also the disappointment and helplessness of her family, who are unable to assist in recovering the stolen funds.

Refusing to remain a victim of the scammer, Thelma takes matters into her own hands, determined to reclaim her hard-earned money. Her journey, however, is complicated by the reality that most of her old friends have either passed away or moved far from the area. In her search for support, she turns to Ben, a widower and a friend from her past who now lives in an assisted living facility. Their relationship has been strained due to the unspoken grief they both carry. Together, they embark on an adventure to navigate the complexities that arise while trying to locate the scammer’s address. As they face the challenges of their quest, deep-seated insecurities surface, leading to a heated argument. Ben reveals his regrets surrounding his late wife’s injury, while Thelma struggles with her deep-rooted refusal to accept help and support.

Their journey reaches a critical juncture when they confront the scam operation hidden in the backroom of a dilapidated antique store. In a moment of unexpected bravery, Thelma threatens the scammer with a gun, obtained from an acquaintance, but quickly realizes she is out of her depth with the technology required to reclaim her funds. In a moment of vulnerability, she reaches out to Danny, who patiently guides her through the process over the phone. This experience becomes a transformative moment for Thelma, as she learns to appreciate the love and support of those around her. Ultimately, she manages to leave the scammer with only a fraction of what was stolen, but gains a powerful message about the value of family and connection.

The culmination of Thelma's journey fosters renewed relationships—not only with Ben but also with her family. As they gather to watch Ben’s performance, Thelma and Danny share reflective moments that hint at her acceptance of her mortality and her hope for Danny's future. 

"Thelma" features an impressive cast, including June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree, Clark Gregg, Parker Posey, and Malcolm McDowell.

The film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and garnered generally positive reviews and achieved a worldwide gross of $11 million.

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 98 percent of the 191 critic reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.7 out of 10. The site’s consensus states: “A stellar showcase for the talented June Squibb, “Thelma” skillfully navigates serious issues without resorting to cheap laughs.” Meanwhile, Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 77 out of 100, based on 42 reviews, indicating "generally favorable" feedback.

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