In the opening scene of Grandma our hero Elle (Lily Tomlin), a spirited and short-term older woman, angrily breaks up with her much younger girlfriend Olivia (Judy Greer). Just from this quick bit, we are informed that something unusual is about to unfold across the screen.

The next scene establishes the premise: Elle’s granddaughter Sage (Julia Garner) needs an abortion, and comes to Elle for monetary help. The two go around town to get the money that they need. The premise itself isn’t anything groundbreaking, but the level of devotion to creating quality characters and efficient storytelling is.

Over the course of the film we meet the cast of characters from Elle’s life, and learn all about her and discover what made her who she is today. At a brisk 80 minutes, no time is wasted, and therefore characters are developed extremely well– not suffering through clunky dialogue but rather through costume, location, and first impression.

We’re in an era where the question of great roles for women is pertinent, and here is a film that gives them out in droves.

Elle is the character who will reveal more as time goes on, but the way in which the supporting cast is introduced is credited to terrific storytelling. I’ll leave you to see, but all of the characters, including notable actors Sam Elliott, Marcia Gay Hayden, and more are all given individual moments to shine.

It is hard to summarize just how terrific of a lead Lily Tomlin is. Few actors can walk the fine line between comedy and drama so well: she gets plenty of chances to display both here. At this point I can’t see how she wouldn’t be a contender for Best Actress.

Another refreshing element that shouldn’t go unstated is just how many barriers it manages to break. We’re in an era where the question of great roles for women is pertinent, and here is a film that gives them out in droves. Not only that, but so many mainstream films have clouded abortion as this shameful, taboo subject (If you don’t believe me, re-watch all the pregnancy comedies and look at how negatively it is viewed). In Grandma, nobody is devaluing the emotional burden of having an abortion, but the subject is treated respectfully and in a seemingly authentic matter.

No situation in life is entirely dramatic or comedic, and this is a film that displays the true range of emotion that people, especially family, can share. All and all, Grandma is a crowd pleaser rich with great writing and genuine heart. It’s a short, brisk film that delivers wholeheartedly everything you could ask for and more.

Grandma opens in theaters this Friday.