How am I so late getting to one of the biggest treats of the movie year? Much like its titular lead character, “Thelma” is an absolute delight. Writer, director, and editor Josh Margolin took inspiration from his very own grandmother, Thelma Post, who turned 104 earlier this year. Margolin based his lead character on her, and the early setup to his story is taken from a real situation his grandmother experienced.

Who better than the effervescent 95-year-old June Squibb to play Thelma Post, an infectiously charming elderly woman who spends her days cross-stitching, watching YouTube videos, and trying to figure out the Facebook app on her cellphone. She has a tight-knit relationship with her sweet and caring grandson Danny (a very good Fred Hechinger) who happily comes over to help her around the house and take her wherever she needs to go.

Thelma’s adventure begins when she gets a strange phone call from a man claiming Danny has ended up in jail. The man needs $10,000 cash mailed to a certain address in order to get him out. In a panic, Thelma pulls money from her hidden stash and drops it in the mail. But when she finally gets in touch with Danny she realizes she has been scammed. She goes through all the proper channels but can’t get her money back.

Instead of sitting idle and accepting her losses, an inspired Thelma sets out to reclaim what is hers. But she’ll need to do it without her disapproving family knowing. And since she can’t drive, she will need a little help. So she seeks out her old friend Ben (the late, great Richard Roundtree) who lives in a nearby retirement center and happens to own a shiny red two-seat mobility scooter. After some reckless convincing, Thelma and Ben are putting across Los Angeles to Van Nuys to confront the scammers face-to-face.

Squibb and Roundtree are such an enjoyable pairing, bringing ample amounts of personality, warmth, and humor to both of their characters. Adding to the fun is Parker Posey as Thelma’s fussy daughter Gail and Clark Gregg as Gail’s tightly wound husband Alan (Clark Gregg). Together they are reasonably concerned yet slyly amusing helicopter parents to Danny and take a similar approach to shepherding Thelma. It leads to several funny back-and-forths.

But at the end of the day this is a June Squibb joint and she brings all the energy, charm, and playfulness necessary for an entertaining crowdpleaser. The movie provides her with everything she needs to keep us rooting for Thelma and laughing most of the way (wait till you see the hilarious Tom Cruise / “Mission: Impossible” bit). And Margolin’s love for his real grandmother comes through in the clear affection he shows for the Thelma he puts on screen. That love proves to be the secret sauce that makes “Thelma” such a joy.

VERDICT – 4 STARS