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Grace & Frankie

April 17, 2016 by cjs6221   

Grace and Frankie is a comedy series about two frenemies in their 70s forced into each other’s lives after their husbands come out as gay lovers. Hearing this, you might be thinking what a boring show. There is an obvious lack of hot and young Hollywood stars on the screen. While the plot line and age of characters might seem like a stretch, this series is actually enjoyable to watch and needs to be given a chance.

The show stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as Grace and Frankie. These two women whose husbands leave for each other are very different people. Grace is a former cosmetics executive afraid of her aging. She has a seemingly perfect family with gorgeous and successful daughters and a beautiful house. Grace is prissy, privileged, and vain.

Frankie on the other hand is laid back yet chaotic. Frankie is a 70 year old hippy who enjoys art, nature, and freedom. The contrast between Grace and Frankie is humorous and well developed on screen. When the two are forced to live together hilarious situations arise while they both adjust to their divorces and husbands getting married after a secret 20 year relationship.

At the core of the show is the development of Grace and Frankie. It is almost like a coming of age story, but the women are already in their 70s. They deal with reentering the dating world and all of the obstacles that come with trying to begin new relationships at 70.

They are nervous and giddy like teenage girls while preparing for a first date. They also deal with forming new friendships after their shallow friends socially ostracize them. They feel invisible without their husbands and adjust to life without their “lifelong” partners. Grace and Frankie take the viewer through a journey and the emotions that come along with it. Fonda and Tomlin bring genuine vulnerability to the screen that is funny but also moving.

This series brings a later phase of life to the screen. While it is just one single show it is making an impact on the ageism that persists in Hollywood. Netflix is showing the world that a show about older women can be entertaining and even funny.

For many decades, older actors and actresses play the needy and slow token old people in small and insignificant roles. Hollywood indirectly disrespects a large portion of society, but Grace and Frankie finally bring a respectful representation to Netflix.

To be completely honest, a lot of the humor in the show is directed toward an older audience. But just because you don’t fall into the audience age range does not mean that you won’t enjoy this show. I am only 18 and I still found the show to be funny and touching at times. All viewers can connect to feelings of panic, sadness, and anger.

We have all experienced love, betrayal, and rediscovery. Even though Grace and Frankie are 70 they are extremely easy to connect to and very enjoyable to watch. Season two premieres May 6th, so check it out now for an original Netflix comedy series.

 

 

 

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1 Comment »

  1. Madeline Winn says:

    This is a cool post to read knowing that you did a lot of research last semester on Hollywood agism. Both of these actresses seem to be beloved by their audience regardless of their age. I think that it seems like a funny premise, but I’ve never seen the show.

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