Read Time:2 Minute, 9 Second
As the old saying goes, “Youth is wasted on the young.” The older we get, the more we appreciate the things we were once able to do. But in Poms, a group of retirees decides to recapture their youth in a way that causes aches and pains—and some controversy within their community.
Poms stars Diane Keaton as Martha, a retired teacher who’s spent most of her adult life living in the same big-city apartment. After she’s diagnosed with cancer, she packs up a few memories and decides that, instead of seeking treatment, she’ll spend her last days in a retirement community in Georgia. Encouraged by her outspoken neighbor, Sheryl (Jacki Weaver), she decides to start a cheer club, so she can finally make her dream of performing as a cheerleader come true. But their motley group comes under attack by the community’s queen bee, Vicki (Celia Weston).
This bittersweet comedy is, for the most part, everything you’d expect it to be. It tells the story of some sweet (and sometimes spunky) old grannies who shock and amuse by doing things that little old ladies just aren’t expected to do. At times, it’s over-the-top. At other times, it’s awkward and even cringe-worthy. But it also offers a cute story about finding friendship and having some fun after retirement age.
The writing here isn’t especially solid. The film introduces characters (like Sheryl’s teenage grandson) who don’t really have an impact on the story, and it picks up storylines (like the club’s conflict with the local high school’s cheer squad) that don’t really go anywhere. Most of the conflicts, in fact, are rather weak—more comical complications than real obstacles.
Really, though, Poms is just meant to be a bittersweet and silly feel-good comedy. Had it starred Helen Mirren instead of lovably bumbling Diane Keaton, it may have been a little more successful, but the cast members still bring their own kind of fun—especially Jacki Weaver, whose Sheryl provides most of the film’s quirkiest comic moments. And these cute characters, their friendship, and their dedication are enough to make audiences get up and cheer for them.
If you’ve got a spunky grandma of your own—one who favors comedies over superheroes—plan a date to take her out for dinner and this movie. It can be a little much at times, but it’s good for some laughs—and some togetherness time, too.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
Kristin Dreyer Kramer has been writing in some form or another (usually when she was supposed to be doing something else) since the ripe old age of ten—when she, her cousin, and their two Cabbage Patch Dolls formed the Poo Authors’ Club. After a short career in advertising, Kristin got sick of always saying nice things about stuff that didn’t deserve it—so now she spends her days criticizing things, and she’s much happier for it.
Since creating NightsAndWeekends.com in February of 2002, Kristin has spent her life surrounded by piles and piles of books and movies—so many that her office has become a kind of entertainment obstacle course.
As if her writing and editing responsibilities for N&W.com weren’t enough to keep her out of trouble, Kristin also hosts a number of weekly radio shows: Reel Discovery, Shelf Discovery, and On the Marquee. She’s also a proud member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (CriticsChoice.com), the Central Ohio Film Critics Association (COFCA.org), the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS.org), and the Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC.Wordpress.com).
Kristin lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, Paul, and their daughter, Anna. She welcomes questions, comments, and fan mail at kdk@nightsandweekends.com.
Happy
0
0 %
Sad
0
0 %
Excited
0
0 %
Sleepy
0
0 %
Angry
0
0 %
Surprise
0
0 %
Kristin Dreyer Kramer has been writing in some form or another (usually when she was supposed to be doing something else) since the ripe old age of ten—when she, her cousin, and their two Cabbage Patch Dolls formed the Poo Authors’ Club. After a short career in advertising, Kristin got sick of always saying nice things about stuff that didn’t deserve it—so now she spends her days criticizing things, and she’s much happier for it.
Since creating NightsAndWeekends.com in February of 2002, Kristin has spent her life surrounded by piles and piles of books and movies—so many that her office has become a kind of entertainment obstacle course.
As if her writing and editing responsibilities for N&W.com weren’t enough to keep her out of trouble, Kristin also hosts a number of weekly radio shows: Reel Discovery, Shelf Discovery, and On the Marquee. She’s also a proud member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (CriticsChoice.com), the Central Ohio Film Critics Association (COFCA.org), the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS.org), and the Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC.Wordpress.com).
Kristin lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, Paul, and their daughter, Anna. She welcomes questions, comments, and fan mail at kdk@nightsandweekends.com.
0
0
