[Rating: Rock Fist Way Up]
Now in theaters
I love the fact that we are living in a moment where actresses of a certain age are still putting out quality content and drawing in audiences with their films. Already with the success of 80 for Brady this year, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin are once again reunited for another buddy comedy, Moving On (directed and written by Paul Weitz). Since the days of 9 to 5, Fonda and Tomlin’s successful chemistry always shines in their projects to make this an already underrated classic.
When Claire (Fonda) is given the news that her best friend and former college roommate has passed away, she plans to attend her funeral with ulterior motives. Upon seeing her friend’s husband Howard (Malcolm McDowell), she tells him straight up she’s going to kill him for what he had done to her. This process of moving on will come when she gives Howard the fatal blow. However, things don’t go according to plan when former friend Evelyn (Lily Tomlin) enters the picture and becomes Claire’s voice of reason. However when their past finally comes back to both their collective memories, they now both set off to enact their revenge. Further complications arise when Claire runs into her former husband Ralph (Richard Roundtree) and Evelyn reveals a hidden secret to Howard’s daughter Allie (Sara Burns).
This film was a surprise from beginning to end. I am in the camp of loving the filmography of Fonda and Tomlin and any chance they can be together, you know I’ll be there. The plot of the film is very straightforward and yet with each layer of the women wanting their revenge, Fona peels back layers as to why they are trying to kill Howard, which becomes more apparent as the film goes on. This is filled with such moving dramatic parts for Fonda and Tomlin, probably some of their best work in a long while.
Friendships may come and go. The magnetic chemistry of Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin continues to grow stronger in the 2020s. Moving On is a delightful comedy drama that will impress viewers and even bring a few delightful surprises.
Christian Ramos is a classic film fan, having had the dream to host Turner Classic Movies for years now. He also has a large amount of Oscar trivia in his head, remembers dressing as Groucho Marx one Halloween, and cherishes the moment Julianne Moore liked his tweet.
Comments on this entry are closed.