Former retirees have reemerged in the present scene
A Casual Glance at the Unconventional Elders' Latest Comedy Adventure
Once upon a time, they were simply getting the hang of things, but Maren Kroymann, Barbara Sukowa, and Heiner Lauterbach have leveled up. In the ARD summer comedy, "Grandkids for Advanced," they find themselves in a new predicament, bumbling as eccentric seniors.
After the success of "Grandkids for Beginners" in 2020, attracting over half a million viewers to the cinemas, it was only a matter of time before a sequel graced our screens. The star-studded comedy kicked off ARD's SommerKino series in 2023.
In the initial film, the trio took on the temporary care of a few god-grandchildren. Now, they're more experienced, battle-hardened, and some might say, 'leveled up.' Teenagers nowadays might scoff at it, but karma, Philippa (Sukowa), and Gerhard (Lauterbach) still got a lot to learn as 'advanced seniors.'
A Fresh Tangle of Problems
The narrative begins with Karin commuting home from a year as a Granny-Nanny in New Zealand, excited to see her husband, Harald (Günther Maria Halmer). But her excitement dwindles when she discovers that he's replaced their beloved sofa with a new one and spent more time with their neighbor, Sigrid (Imogen Kogge), playing Halma. Fuming, Karin turns to her hippie friend Philippa, who only offers a small sleeping corner at her daughter's place. Desperate, Karin reluctantly seeks refuge at Gerhard's. The grumpy old man (Lauterbach) isn't exactly thrilled to see her.
The script, penned by Robert Loehr and directed by Wolfgang Groos, respectively of "Grandkids for Beginners," takes its sweet time diving into the grandparent trio's new grandchild-related woes. These conflicts and predicaments play a crucial role in the story's development, setting the stage for the kids to swoop in and save the day.
"Get your old ass up and help me solve this bio problem!"
Because Annika (Marie Burchard) can't find a substitute teacher for her "learning center," her mother Philippa and Karin step in to fill the void. Skeptical Gerhard soon finds himself helping the occasionally bratty teenagers with their homework. "Come on, old man, help me with bio!"
Not all is pie in the sky in "Grandchildren for Advanced Users." Some scenes become clichéd and ridiculous, reminiscent of the original film. However, the hundred minutes in question provide a delightful dose of 'summer cinema.' We follow Gerhard's journey out of loneliness after his life partner's passing, Karin's attempts at reconnecting with her husband, and Philippa's efforts to mend relationships with her estranged daughter—all with the help of their grandchildren, who prove to be problem solvers in their own right. The underlying message: Even with smartphone addiction and grammar issues, maybe this generation isn't entirely lost after all.
- Maren Kroymann, Barbara Sukowa, and Heiner Lauterbach, now experienced 'advanced seniors', find themselves entwined in a fresh set of problems, including family dynamics, home décor disputes, and renewed romantic interests in the comedy sequel, "Grandkids for Advanced".
- As the next chapter unfolds, the narrative delves into issues of fashion-and-beauty, as Karin grapples with her disapproval of her husband's newly redecorated home, and relationships, as Gerhard navigates his complicated relationship with his estranged daughter and the bratty grandkids who help him with their schoolwork.
- Meanwhile, amidst the chaos of the unconventional elder's lifestyle, Philippa, hoping to share her love for a simpler, earthy way of life, opens her home to Karin, bringing together an unlikely blend of family-dynamics, home-and-garden, and the enduring bonds of friendships.
