Thanks ‘Grace and Frankie’ – Why Netflix’s Fonda-Tomlin Show Is Answer to Hollywood Ageism

Thanks ‘Grace and Frankie’ – Why Netflix’s Fonda-Tomlin Show Is Answer to Hollywood Ageism

We’ve been warring over sexism and ageism in Hollywood for the past week, since Maggie Gyllenhaal set off a three-fire alarm over admitting that she’d been turned down as “too old” to play the lover of a 55-year-old man.

Cue “Grace and Frankie,” the charming, sharply-written comedy of manners set in our contemporary world of topsy turvy sexual identity. Not only are the two leads of the 13-episode Netflix series fabulous women in their 70s, they consistently are paired in the plotlines with younger men.

We’ve collectively been wringing our hands over Hollywood perpetuating romantic pairings of men 20 and 30 years older than their female counterparts, including Gyllenhaal, who at 31 played the romantic interest of Jeff Bridges, 60, in “Crazy Heart.”

But apparently the producers of this Netflix show, Marta Kauffman and Howard Morris, didn’t get the memo.

Also Read: 17 Movies That Show Ageism Still Plagues Hollywood (Photos)

Jane Fonda, age 77, plays Grace, the well-coiffed wife of Robert, played by Martin Sheen, 74. He leaves their 40-year marriage to pair up with Sam Waterston, age 74. Waterston plays Sol, who dumps his wife Frankie, played by 75-year-old Lily Tomlin as a pot-smoking, caftan-wearing, former hippie.

What’s even more revolutionary is that once Grace starts dating, she is paired with men two decades younger than her. In one episode, Grace signs up to an online dating service and ends up on a date with Brian Benben (aged 58!), fantasizes about dating Corbin Bernsen (aged 60!) and has a quick make-out session with Irish actor Tim Murphy, whose looks to be about the same age as the others.

Meanwhile, Fonda has never looked sexier – seriously, you’ve got to see it to believe she’s that age – nor more comfortable inhabiting her character’s very uncomfortable situation. And Tomlin too has never looked better, or seemed more relaxed playing Frankie, as she spars with her nemesis and erstwhile roommate Grace. (Tomlin and Fonda have not acted together since the iconic “Nine to Five” in 1980. Overdue!)

Also Read: Jane Fonda in Cannes: Let's Make Sure We Represent Women 51 Percent in Movies

Far from being too old to play the comic leads, Fonda and Tomlin embrace their roles with relish, as does the entire cast.

Netflix doesn’t do anything by accident. There’s undoubtedly an algorithm in their subscriber base that surfaced a burning desire to see a comedy starring women in their golden years acting like women, not senior citizens. And it’s a distinct pleasure to see the hand of Marta Kauffman (“Friends,” “Dream On”) with Howard Morris (“According to Jim”) back at the tiller.

Point is, Hollywood – Netflix made it work. Why can’t you?

Also Read: Maggie Gyllenhaal on Ageism in Hollywood: Wrap Trends (Video)

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