Poms

Martha stops her cancer treatment, moves to a retirement community in Georgia and finds a place where everyone is required to look happy. Pushed by her neighbour Sheryl, they start a cheerleading squad. The management opposes it, and it ends with them entering a youth competition. Zara Hayes directed. Diane Keaton plays Martha, Jacki Weaver plays Sheryl, with Pam Grier and Rhea Perlman in the cast. The idea rests on something real: senior cheerleading squads have existed in American retirement communities for years and do compete. The film keeps the material light and chooses comedy despite being the story of a woman approaching death. Ageing, the body and being visible sit in the background but are not pressed; the script keeps softening the conflict. The cast carries it. Keaton's character has made her decision before the film starts, which gives it an unexpected hardness. Who it is for: viewers who like light comedy about old age. Who it is not for: anyone wanting the subject handled seriously; the film does not go deep.