80 for Brady

Inspired by the true story of NFL quarterback Tom Brady's octogenarian female supporters, this sports comedy sees four women attending their very first Super Bowl match. Tickets are like gold dust, but when den mother Lily Tomlin snaffles four in a competition, she heads to Houston with best pals Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno and Sally Field. Needless to say, all does not run smoothly. While this amiable romp is slightly short on laughs, it delivers a blend of high-jinks and character insights appropriately tailored to the silver-haired casting. The high-powered leads are uniformly terrific, with spiky Tomlin sailing through the emotional material and Fonda having fun with her character's second career as a saucy fan-fiction author. Meanwhile, Moreno proves touching as a grieving widow, and uptight former professor Field unwinds entertainingly during the trip. A little background knowledge or affection for American football may be advantageous, but not necessary, and co-star/producer Tom Brady delivers an assured, engaging turn as himself.