MOVING ON

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin are back together again for a dark comedy that showcases talents we’ve all loved for decades.

RUNNING TIME: 1 hour, 25 minutes

RATING: 3 stars

BY REX REED THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

The third feature-length chapter in the Jane Fonda-Lily Tomlin franchise (excluding their TV comedy series, Grace and Frankie) is called Moving On

Because it is directed and written by Paul Weitz, a more organized and humane artist than the oafs they usually choose, it is more memorable than the usual farces they've concocted in the past—maybe not as fresh and appealing as 9 to 5, but less imaginatively bankrupt than the abysmal 80 for Brady. It just sort of lies there in the middle of a sandwich, like day-old tuna. But the chemistry between two icons is irresistible.

This time the girls play two lifelong gal pals who reunite in California for the funeral of a beloved mutual third best friend. After the sad farewells, Claire (Fonda) confides in her friend Evvie (Tomlin) at the reception that her trip to Los Angeles has a dual purpose. In addition to honoring the memory of her old college buddy Joyce, she plans to murder Joyce's husband Howard (welcome back, newly rotund but still lively Malcolm McDowell).

After 51 years, during which Claire kept her hatred of Howard hidden for fear of upsetting Joyce, the time has come to free herself of the memory of that fateful night when Howard raped her.

Evvie is shocked, but in a moment of candor, she confesses an even better reason of her own for getting even with Howard—in front of her deceased friend's husband, friends, and grandchildren she announces she and Joyce were passionate lovers and Howard broke up the affair, causing Evvie a lifetime of resentment and rage.

After so many decades, Claire and Evvie decide to pool resources, become partners in crime, and eliminate the old bas- tard for good. The rest of the movie is about the many aborted ways they try to do it and fail. In the process, Claire rediscovers her affection for the ex-husband (Richard Roundtree, who used to play Shaft) she dumped because her parents disapproved of her marriage to a black man, Evvie comes to terms with her unfulfilled life as a lesbian cellist, and everyone benefits from the self-fulfilling satisfaction of sweet revenge before moving on.

Much of Moving On defies logic when you hold the plot up to the light for anything resembling close analysis, but the focus shifts from black humor (Claire, ignorantly shopping for firearms) to moments of tenderness (Evvie's kindness and compassion for a neglected child who comes to visit the retirement home where she lives) and two stars have forgotten nothing about captivating an audience with their skill and craft.

I love the way they thrust and parry, upstaging each other without malice while they prove the value of growing old gracefully. They've had so much unnecessary plastic surgery that their faces border on the unrecognizable.

Her old trademark wry humor has left Lily Tomlin's expressions, and an ugly white wig and horn-rimmed glasses make Jane Fonda look twice as old as she is, but who cares? They've forgotten more about comedy than most actors will ever learn, and languishing in their rapport is a luxury.

The film moves too slowly to be consistently funny, but it lacks the dumb sight gags and labored one-liners that bog most alleged comedies down in padding.

Not a great film but Moving On is a pleasurable enough way to kill an hour and a half without regret.

EDITED BY DUSTIN O'REGAN ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL

New Trier High School senior AVA SUMMERS is excited to join fellow seniors and co-chairs for this month’s Rush Junior Board 2023 Fashion Show, “Walking on a Dream.” Held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, at Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield, this is the third special event of the year hosted by the 100-member Rush Junior Board—following the Annual Car Wash and Holiday Tea. Last year, the Rush Junior Board raised more than $100,000 for Rush University Medical Center. Parent Advisors Erin Donaldson and Sara McClain have led the show since the beginning and, according to Summers, “have turned our new creative ideas into a reality.” Fashions from local retailers, including LuxLab, Bunny and Babe, Elena Victoria, and Gigi’s Closette will be modeled by members of the Rush Junior Board, with other members leading the production and event planning. New this year is a fantastic new venue, designed to deliver an elevated, dynamic event all for a great cause. In honor of the event, we asked Summers to share some of her favorite trending books and media in this week’s edition of #hashtag.

To purchase tickets to the event, email Erin Donaldson at davidanderindonaldson@yahoo.com.

#ON MY NIGHTSTAND

Most nights before bed I will finish up work on my computer either for the Rush Junior Board or school, although on the nights I do not, I will read Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. It is by far the most fascinating book I’ve read for class this year and I find myself thinking about the ideas it proposes long after I put the piece down. It pushes the reader to “find significance in the very act of living” and explains and analyzes the complexity of one’s motivation to find meaning in life. The author articulates that this meaning can change, though will never cease to exist. When reading, one of his arguments stood out to me the most—“One can never be stripped of the power to decide, and therefore even in suffering, one must decide to create meaning out of the pain.” I will continue to be drawn back to this book and its rationale for years to come.

#ON MY MOBILE

My phone is even more important to me than my computer when it comes to working on the fashion show. Communication is key, and constant messaging back and forth between executives, parent advisors, and committees is crucial for making progress. It takes a gritty and driven team to make each fundraiser as successful as possible and I am so grateful for the hard work of our team—Caroline Kinsella and Kate Baur, as well as Parent Advisors Erin Donaldson, Sara McClain, Holly Miller, and Anissa Forman, along with all of our RJB members. They have worked tirelessly to execute each event and I am so honored to work alongside them. Because our team is so close, our group chats are always active, so my phone is practically glued to my side.

My Earbuds

The fashion show chairs, Kate, Caroline, and I decided to create a playlist this year for the girls to walk to during the fashion show instead of instrumental background music. Because of this, I have been listening to music day and night, trying to find songs that would engage our audience and could fit our theme. Our current favorites are “The Thrill,” “Take a Walk,” and “Midnight City.” Some artists that are my personal favorites but might not be featured on our playlist are Mac Miller, Mac Demarco, Tame Impala, and The Smiths.