80 for Brady Review

Theatrical Review

There is something special about the friendships that you make and keep. I have a group of friends who all met as writers about a decade ago. We have seen each other through all kinds of ups and downs, both personally and professionally. I still speak regularly with my best friend from high school. These long-term friendships are a balm to my soul. And even though I am no Tom Brady fan, I love movies that celebrate friendship, so I was looking forward to Kyle Marvin’s new film “80 for Brady.”

Four long-time friends, Lou (Lily Tomlin), Trish (Jane Fonda), Maura (Rita Moreno), and Betty (Sally Field) get together each week to cheer on the Patriots and their favorite quarterback, Tom Brady. The tradition began when Lou was diagnosed with cancer and the women were unable to turn off a football game. One game became a season which became more than a decade of superstitions, friendship, and guacamole.

Lou decides in 2017 that the group needs to go see Tom Brady play in what might be his last Super Bowl appearance, so they try to win tickets. Lou is able to secure tickets, and the ladies travel to Houston for the best weekend a group of 80 year olds (and one 75 year old) could imagine, filled with dancing, romance, gambling, and spicy wings. And maybe a Super Bowl win?

This is a sweet movie. Based very loosely on a group of friends who gathered regularly to watch Sunday afternoon football games and became huge Tom Brady fans, this story takes four iconic actors and gives them a chance to star together in a film. The chemistry between these women, especially Tomlin and Fonda, is just electric and I was rooting for them the whole time. 

The weakness of this film is definitely the script by Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins. This movie stars four absolute legends of comedy, and while there’s nothing terrible about the script, it definitely didn’t show off just how immensely talented these women are. It’s a very predictable story, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, I hoped the jokes would be a little bit punchier. Grandmas accidentally take an edible and are good at eating spicy wings just feels a little played out. I loved the more heartwarming scenes, but I wish the shenanigans had been more original.

That said, it’s worth seeing this movie if only to see these women on screen. I love that we’re in a season where women over 60 are having a bit of a time in the spotlight. Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis have both been nominated for their first Oscars. Jean Smart is in everything I want to watch. “Book Club” is getting a sequel later this year. In an industry that celebrates youth both on and off screen, seeing a film that centers older women and their friendship is something I will happily raise a glass to, even if it means cheering for Tom Brady.

This review originally appeared in The Dominion Post on February 12, 2023.