Thelma- Can June Squibb Land A Best Actress Nomination For This Delightful Comedy?
One of the reasons I always get into this conversation of accessibility, and the need for an overwhelming prevalence, is that I think Hollywood is under the misconception that blind people live on blind island and only communicate with other blind people. We actually have sighted friends and family members, who often are aware of our accessibility needs, and when they aren’t met, the burden is pushed onto them to fill it. If I watch a TV Show or a movie without audio description, that person feels the need to tell me what’s happening, whether I ask them to or not. My personal take is, of course, this isn’t audio description. But, if anyone in a theater ever gets pissed, maybe they should redirect that anger at the million dollar company who couldn’t spend a fraction to make something accessible.
In the case of Thelma, this is just audio description not passing from theatrical to VOD, which suggests Megnolia isn’t really functioning with DEI on the brain, and inclusivity is not really a central priority. You already paid for the audio description, at bare minimum, you can follow it with making sure the more permanent versions of the film on digital purchase or physical media have that audio description. It might take several lifetimes to get companies to pass audio description from one streamer to another, but at least the home video initial release should have it, right?
Nope. I watched Thelma with no audio description. It’s an action comedy of sorts, so that experience wasn’t great. But, it seems cute, and June Squibb is clearly killing it this late in her career. I’m beginning to think an Oscar is outside her reach, but at least a Golden Globe Nomination in Best Actress In A Comedy should be manageable.
Magnolia has been distributing indie cinema for far too long to not have this audio description stuff down pat. I wouldn’t recommend watching this without audio description, as the person you are with is just going to work overtime helping you. But, if you can acquire accessibility, this John Wick for the AARP crowd is very entertaining. And, if you’re voting for anything, please consider June Squibb.