I first stumbled upon this show while looking for something new to watch on Netflix. Going into a show with no idea what it is can be one of the scariest kinds of adventures. However, once I watched the pilot, I was hooked.
Grace and Frankie is a show about two women who become best friends as they go through a big change in their lives: their husbands leave them for each other. These two leading ladies are brilliant characters, Grace is the responsible friend and Frankie is the wild. The show stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, both extremely iconic actresses. Grace and Frankie is a wonderful comedy with themes of friendship, love, self-love, and the qualms that come with getting older.
One of the best things about this show is that it addresses important topics like ageism and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. Grace and Frankie is a show which doesn’t beat around the bush when it comes to these topics, and the writing in this show is impeccable! Unfortunately, season three is an exception to the prior statement, but I’ll get into that later. The writers don’t hold back when it comes to making a statement.
Another reason to watch this show is for the emotional rawness that is the product of a perfect marriage between writing, cinematography, and acting. Though the show is a comedy, it has moments in it which are simply beautiful, with no need for comedy in the moment. Grace and Frankie is not only a show that makes a person laugh, but makes them feel.
Grace and Frankie is one of my favorite television shows, but it isn’t perfect. Season three is the most recent season and it didn’t reach the high standard that it had set itself up for from the seasons prior. Most notable of the changes is Jane Fonda’s character Grace Henson. Perhaps it’s the writing or maybe just the acting, but her character falls flat this season. Spoiler alert: Grace’s marriage to Nick definitely changes her, but the character seemed to be a shell of her former self. Fonda’s character is devoid of a lot of the personality and warmth that she had in season two. Overall, her performance was disappointing.
In conclusion, I love Grace and Frankie. It may have its flaws, but it is a wonderful show that everyone should watch. If you’re looking for a show that’ll make you laugh, watch Grace and Frankie. If you’re looking for a show that’ll make you cry, watch Grace and Frankie. If you’re looking for a show with two complex, strong, independent, female characters…watch Grace and Frankie. If you don’t, then you’re missing out on one of the best shows on Netflix. Go watch!