There is no question that Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin are a powerhouse duo that has kept audiences wanting more for over four decades. Since their classic 9 to 5 (1980), they have starred in multiple films and television shows. After wrapping up Netflix’s Grace and Frankie (2015-2022) and releasing 80 For Brady earlier this year, Moving On is their latest appearance on the big screen together.
The dramedy written and directed by Paul Weitz (About Boy), follows Claire (Fonda) and Evelyn (Tomlin) reuniting for the first time in years at their college best friend’s funeral and aim to seek revenge on their friend’s cruel husband Howard (Malcolm McDowell). With an 85-minute run-time, it perfectly paces the story, knowing where to shave off and where to focus. Never once do you sit in the theater and think, “Oh, this has to be the two-hour mark.”
Moving On proves to its audience that revenge is a dish best served cold, especially when it is 46 years in the making. Though Weitz is the writer, Fonda and Tomlin’s fingerprints are littered all over the story as each of their characters upholds a philosophy to right past wrongs done to them and make way for a better future for all. As both actors were pivotal in the feminist movement in the 1960s and 1970s, their characters continued with their personal philosophies for women to claim power against the patriarchy. Now, Moving On is not an overt, in-your-face political statement, but the message is woven throughout the film.
When the women begin to reminisce about their lives, “It was a different time” and “Back then” are two phrases that are uttered a lot by Claire and Evelyn when describing the old wounds that were never able to properly heal due to cultural and societal shortcomings of their youth. Now as they near the eve of their life, the women are confronted by the want and need to tie up the loose ends of their lives as they finally have mustered up the courage they were not provided before.
Just before the funeral begins, Claire walks right up to Howard and declares that she will kill him for what he did to her all those years ago. Now that Claire’s best friend is dead, his death can no longer hurt her. Evelyn makes her grand entrance mid-eulogy, interrupting Howard and winking at Claire before she is fully seated in the pew. Claire shares her plan with Evelyn, who is initially hesitant until Howard reminds them both how cruel he can be. Once Evelyn gets on board, the film follows the women’s attempt at getting revenge on Howard while they do their best to navigate what they truly want for their lives.
Taking place over just one weekend while Claire is in Los Angeles, both women are confronted with the truths of their lives they have been hiding from even themselves. Finally, they know they are growing older and do not have all the time left in the world, so they have learned not to take things so seriously. Part of that is letting the hurling of insults, the underestimation from the younger folks around them, and the disbelief of Claire’s very direct murder threats. It is a joy to see Fonda and Tomlin get away with so much debauchery in this one. Claire is presented with the opportunity to give closure to her first husband, whom she loved dearly but was immobilized by the pain Howard caused her four decades ago. Evelyn has a chance to let someone else into her life to supporting her since her wife passed years before. These women are stubborn and determined to reclaim their power and move on from the pain that has held them back their whole lives.
Claire and Evelyn are testaments to the fact that age might close particular doors, but others swing right open with the freedom of knowing exactly who you are and what you want. Weitz does a beautiful job dropping little nods to the women Fonda and Lily, keeping their backbone and fantastic sense of humor intact. The trailer, don’t pay attention to it. It does not do it justice.
Score: 3 out of 5
I enjoyed this film; it showed me a new perspective that I do not believe we see in movies. For once, audiences can see the power of women who are getting older; there is liberation in being able to do what you want and not caring about the consequences or judgments. It is quite an empowering film that includes the support of the queer and trans community while still acknowledging the unfortunate and bigoted pushback they receive. It is a delight to see Fonda and Tomlin together again, and it is fantastic seeing them embracing this time in their life and taking what they want. Plus, who doesn’t love a good old female rage revenge film? Of course, this will not be a box office hit. However, it is a film that audiences can grow into and appreciate as they age. Go give this movie a watch!
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