Grace and Frankie (2015–2022) User Reviews

Fonda and Tomlin hit it out of the park

[dbkdances · 9/10 · 9 May 2015]

I binged the series over a 2-day period and wished there was more. The characters were well developed and the whole thing was very entertaining. It covered many bases that divorce can bring about to family and friends, and dealt with issues of loss, honesty and aging, among others.

I wish Sheen and Waterston had had greater chemistry between them, but their interactions with the family members were believable and poignant. I especially enjoyed June Diane Raphael and Baron Vaughn, as two of the four adult children.

What I can't decide is who I liked better, Fonda or Tomlin. In each case, they braved characterizations that were vulnerable and multi-faceted. In the case of each, this is their best performance, and the two together were phenomenal. Funny one moment and heart-tugging the next.

This is an adult story, in the best sense of the word.

Fonda & Tomlin Are Magic Together

[gregorybnyc · 9/10 · 8 May 2015]

I will always love Lily Tomlin. I always enjoyed Jane Fonda in her youthful movie star mode, but since she came out of retirement, she elevates everything she's in. I think she was the primary reason I kept watching Newsroom for three seasons. I kept waiting for her every appearance. In Grace and Frankie, Tomlin and Fonda have to overcome a rather unbelievable situation--that is to face the fact that they husbands they have been married to for over forty years have somehow falling in love and intend to marry each other. Relegated to a kind of "Odd Couple" status, they end up living in a Malibu beach house their husbands bought years earlier. Each couple used the house on separate weekends. Now Grace and Frankie have to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives and move on. Jane Fonda as Grace is at her brittle comedic best. She delivers in spades, looks stunning in her latish 70s and plays off Lily Tomlin's hippy-esque character with spunk and funny nerve. Grace has to face the fact that she's an uptight, judgmental pain in the ass. And Tomlin's Frankie is just the person to remind her over and over again. The scripts are tightly funny. The interplay between the two ex-couples is expert. Sam Waterston and Martin Sheen have nearly thankless roles as the two spouses who dump their wives, but they handle the dialog ad the romantic banter with dignity. But let's face it, you're waiting for Grace and Frankie to spark off each other. It's not the kind of laugh-out-loud absurdest insults The Golden Girls hurled at each other with such glee, but the humor is key here. There is is just enough drama to remind us of the absurdity of life. I couldn't wait to watch this show when it was announced. Fonda and Tomlin were terrific with Dolly Parton in Nine to Five, but they are even better here. This is a terrific show. I'll stick around as long as these two glorious stars are here to make us laugh and cry.

I Love This Show!

[bgthomaswriter · 9/10 · 12 May 2015]

I will admit the first episode is kind of "meh." I wasn't thrilled. I mean this was Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda! It should have been rolling funny.

It wasn't. And the second episode? Well...

But then!! OMGosh!

By the third episode the writers and cast and crew had found their stride and I was in love. So clever! So funny! So sweet! So engaging! Yes, that is a lot of explanation points but I couldn't help it. The show deserves them all.

Lily is simply wonderful as Frankie. I mean I fell in love with her. I want her as my BFF. Fonda was wonderful as well as the uptight Grace. She could have played it as a cliché but I was happy to find myself slowly warming up her as the episodes passed. In other words, Fonda showed up the person beneath the outer shell.

I liked Sheen but was crazy about Waterston playing the men who leave their wives to be with each other.

I wasn't crazy about some of the kids, but that wasn't the actor's faults. They did great. I just didn't find them very likable people. But again that was all right.

For instance is Brooklyn Decker cold as Mallory--but she was a chip off her old mother (Fonda). And Fonda's other daughter, June Diane Raphael as Brianna, is a bit of a bit*h. But again, she was a product of a mother who was never there and very self involved.

I did however love Ethan Embry as Coyote (one of Tomlin's adopted kids). He is a recovering addict of all kinds and my heart went out to him. The only member of the cast that I was cold to was Baron Vaughn as Nwabudike (the other adopted son). I don't want to be mean but he was terrible. He approached his character as if this show were a 70s sitcom and not a Netflix dramedy--his acting over the top. He jolted me out of the story every time.

I really hope this show comes back for a second season. I loved it!

Superb - A brilliant series full of talent

[michaelernestsweet · 10/10 · 10 May 2015]

This is a brilliant and timely series. Sheen, Waterston, Fonda, and Tomlin. I'd guess nearly 200 years of combined acting experience. It shows. The writing in this series is witty and attentive to popular culture. It gently picks away at the nonsense in our contemporary lives and exposes the raw human condition. The only thing that eats at me a little is the upper-class white privilege that penetrates throughout. Despite this, the series makes some very real, critical, and timely social commentary. At the very moment that the Supreme Court of the United States debates gay marriage, we have Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston - two very straight and very accomplished actors - kissing on the screen.

Having met Jane Fonda, Lilly Tomlin, and Martin Sheen, I can tell you that these actors care deeply about their work and the role it plays in advancing social justice.

Sadly, many will critique this show along political lines - whether they support equal rights or not. Watch it for yourself, it's good TV.

Simply Charming

[handofthanatos · 10/10 · 10 May 2015]

Though I see where one may feel it's dull or "Flat" as one reviewer called it. It's because this show has a sense of honesty and a realistic charm to make you forget its a show and not something happening to a friend. When something seems real it loses a bit of edge, real isn't sexy (girls wearing black thongs every night sexy/not real, ugly laundry or period panties so not sexy/ oh so real).This gem of a show has Tomlin, Fonda, Sheen and Waterson, Living Legends and they prove it in each scene. The history their characters have in some part feels more authentic do to the history the cast must actually have. Years working in the same industry, on a number of projects together (West Wing, Newsroom, 9 to 5, to name a few). The added connections brought by their children brilliantly played by Raphael, Vaughn, Decker and especially Ethan Embry legitimizes the story because no matter what we do it always effects our kids even if they're grown. The revolving door of great guest stars is that perfect little finishing touch to an already great freshman year. I cant wait for more , it does not help that I too binge watched in one sitting just created a longer wait for my self.

Best show ever!!

[Queenkt87 · 10/10 · 21 January 2019]

I love Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. I hope this show never ends. I just hate that Netflix releases whole seasons in one day. I already finished season 5, and now I don't know what to do with my life.

Up there with Friends, Northern Exposure,....

[mmccord9126 · 10/10 · 11 May 2015]

Grace and Frankie is a heartfelt comedy excellently portrayed by four veteran actors. This original comedy takes you into the lives of two couples and their families as they work through a major change in family dynamics. You'll find yourself wanting to learn more about the four main characters and how they adapt to their ensuing life changes. You'll find yourself empathizing with Grace and Frankie as they each reconcile with the end of their 40 year marriages. New opportunities for personal growth and understanding of different lifestyles create a platform for growth and understanding between all four characters. I watched all 13 episodes in 3 days and I did indeed laugh out-loud! Hats off to NetFlix for delivering a much needed adult comedy. Thank you to Lily, Jane, Sam and Martin for breathing the life into these characters.

Is there anything not to love about Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin?

[lee_eisenberg · 10/10 · 9 April 2021]

Decades after they played co-workers in "9 to 5", Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin are back together as friends who have to start cohabiting after their husbands (Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston) come out as gay. Sure enough, their personalities bounce off each other.

The show has lots in store, and in the process reminds us that Jane and Lily still got it. Definitely watch this series.

Clever, Funny & Endearing

[piter1288 · 11 February 2017]

Getting divorced at the age of 70? Leaving your wife for a man at the age of 70? In the past, people with more than 20 years of marriage just stuck together. Maybe they were not in love anymore, maybe there was only respect and companion, but a new start at the age of 70 was never a chance. Grace & Frankie makes the opposite happen in a such a real way. Because they are 70 years old people, but they live in 2015. They have cellphones, computers, they masturbate, they have sex, they get high, they feel lonely, they cry, they laugh (and make us laugh) about what happens when you are 70 and don't spend your days in a rocking chair.

I'm only 28 years old and find this show so refreshing. A reminder that getting older does not prevent you from doing stupid things, making mistakes and/or hurting people you love. Because getting older never means you stop failing at life, but you can always take it in a humorous way.

*Note* This review was written after finishing Season 1. I hope it continues this good.

I binged the whole thing in one night!

[nicole-underhill · 10/10 · 9 May 2015]

Two couples who have known each other (and not necessarily loved each other) all their lives find out in their 70's that the two husbands are gay and in love. HA! And have been for the better part of 20 years sneaking around behind their families backs.

Man Fonda is looking good! What is she on? Magic? Sam is hilarious! I mean he's got this whole gay thing down and together with Martin Sheen... Their fights are something I found myself really looking forward to and hoping there would be reasons for more. Tomlin so heartbreaking. You want her to be happy so badly but she truly just wanted to be with her husband and they are simply best pals. Oh the Coach from Parenthood dates Fonda. Fantastic performance and how true to life that just when you are enjoying being single, some swinging d(*k comes along and wants to settle you down. I am a 40 yof and I couldn't stop watching until it was binged fully. I highly recommend this. It's good to see TV that isn't teenagers sucking blood.

Steep decline

[amandamaria_87 · 6/10 · 30 January 2019]

I started out absolutely loving this show, now I am part way through the 5th season and I find myself hating Frankie.. no longer fun and quirky, just unbearably irrational

Brianna is the best part of the show.

Worth watching, great cast that didn't disappoint.

[snowdogmom-710-805503 · 10/10 · 10 May 2015]

I was pleasantly surprised by Grace and Frankie. So often lately I have been disappointed in spite of a stellar cast. In this case the cast lived up to their reputations and I have to commend Sam Waterston and Martin Sheen for their performances. Another reviewer who stated "The thing about dramedies is that you want them to both be funny and dramatically compelling (i.e. Transparent). Grace and Frankie wasn't especially funny. And the trite hippie/uptight odd couple theme undercuts the drama; how sorry can you feel for clichés?" I'm not sure if he actually watched more than the 1st episode and if he didn't he missed the best part as it did start off a bit slow but Grace and Frankie is compelling with several interesting stories to tell with humor thrown in where it was needed. I felt like I was peeking in on 2 real families as they dealt with life changing events. I liked this so much more than Transparent which I thought was one huge cliché. The writing here was so much better and didn't rely on continual shock value, excessive foul language, and gratuitous nudity to get the story told or to hold the viewers interest. The solid script and performances did that in Grace and Frankie.

Is Season 5 a bit of a disappointment?

[alice-79628 · 7/10 · 19 January 2019]

I have watched every episode of seasons 1 to 4 and absolutely glued to the screen. I'm not feeling it so much in season 5. Do others feel the same way? To me, it feels like it's lost something between season 4 and 5. I noticed a lot more swearing too. It's not an issue but much more noticeable in this season. It's still charming and fun but I'm not glued to the screen like the other seasons.

Loved the first couple seasons....then

[nancywe · 4/10 · 17 February 2019]

Got really tired of Frankie. She's not even a believable character anymore. Who the heck would put up with her. Charming and fun for a while but has become too slapstick and just plain dumb.

Watched the whole series in one afternoon

[miriacs68 · 8/10 · 9 May 2015]

Watching it all at once gave you sense of it being more a lengthy movie than a sitcom and that word doesn't even suit it. I found it delighful, the first episode wasn't memorable but had me intrigued enough to go for more and I am so glad.

Fonda looks amazing! OMG, even if she had plastic surgery or not, to cut such a striking figure at 77, you just want what she has been on and she plays the dutiful uptight wife so well.

Tomlinson is her exact opposite, but equally as brilliant in her roles as the forgotten hippy. Her wardrobe is absolutely fantastic.

Waterson and Sheen actually make a hugely believable older gay couple, there is no awkwardness and they fit together so well.

It will remind you of the odd couple as Fonda/Tomlinson find each other pushed together over the circumstances of their husbands announcing they have been in a secret relationship for 20 years and finally breaking free of their wives and making a life together, including marrying. But rather than an ongoing joke, you will see Fonda/Tomlinson come together as new found friends, that was always simmering in the past but neither could get past each other's nuances. You kinda get they really they always needed each other.

Their respective families characters are a little wishy washy and it's hard to get into their "heads" at first and I think it does take the entire series to really understand any of them.

I am looking forward to season 2 and further development of all the characters, I just hope that it ends before it get's stale, too many seasons would see this show become a soap opera, instead of a wonderful look into the older generation. Forget the Golden Girls, they were quintessential for their time, but they brought far more satire and humour to the subject of ageing rather than the serious side which Grace and Frankie do.

Laughter & tears

[cywebber · 10/10 · 5 May 2022]

Grace & Frankie from enemy's to best friends. The duo goes through life & death together. Frankie is comical, witty, the fun one & Grace is the witty, uptight, business woman. Both come together at odds ends like a Ying & yang.

I loved this show. The 7th season finale was happy but sad. I will miss this show. I'm glad the ending was well written.

Two people who couldn't live without each other. Together they brought out good & bad of each other.

Frankie the positive person always shining & Grace was the negative person. Together they became the best of each other. No matter the problems either one had they both lifted each other up.

Both loved their families.

Great Show = I loved it.....

[beautyls · 10/10 · 10 May 2015]

I loved the show, I hope there will be another season. I am looking forward to the next season. I watched the whole season in one afternoon. I found the show to be very funny. I love Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. The story line was very creative, and the casting was perfect. I have read the reviews and I am happy that some enjoyed the show as much as I did. I don't find a lot of the Netflix shows on TV but I am a true fan of Netflix and find most their shows are very entertaining. I have had Netflix for years and find they have excellent shows. Grace and Frankie was a true gem of a show. Wow ten lines is a lot of information for someone like me that is not a big talker.

Grace & Frankie

[cindymerriman · 10/10 · 17 May 2015]

This is an 11 out of 10 for rating. I find the entire cast amazing, and one of the best shows I've seen on net flex in a while. Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin look amazing, and make a great team. I power watched the episodes in one day, and awaiting many more. Keep them coming - I can't wait for more. I love Sam Waterston and Martin Sheen, and as actors, they make it seem so real. The actors portraying the children -awesome choice for great acting and seemed to have the reactions fitting for this type of family drama Brooklyn, Ethan, June and Baron nice job. Looking forward to this series continuing, and the chemistry between Jane & Lily, you nailed it. Keep up the good work.

Best Show on TV.

[drednm · 13 May 2017]

This Netflix series stars the great Jane Fonda and the great Lily Tomlin as an aging couple of divorced wives who end up sharing a beach house in San Diego. Their husbands turned out to be gay and got married. Each woman has two grown kids with problems. And did I mention, that Grace and Frankie start out disliking each other? Great concept despite some silly plots and situations serves as a spotlight for two great talents. Uptight Grace (Fonda) and old hippie Frankie (Tomlin) are poles apart in temperament but sisters under the skin. Their "odd couple" situation makes for great comedy and can also be very, very touching.

Fonda has so far wracked up 7 Oscars nominations, 15 Golden Globe nominations, 6 BAFTA nominations, 2 Tony nominations and 4 Emmy nominations while Tomlin has 1 Oscar nomination, i Golden Globe nominations, 17 Emmy nominations, 2 BAFTA nominations, and 2 Tony nominations. And that's just major awards.

Fonda's brittle Grace and Tomlin's loosey Frankie are perfect matches for these actresses and they mesh well together.

Also in the cast are Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston as the husbands, Ethan Embry, Baron Vaughn, Brooklyn Decker, and June Diane Raphael as the grown kids ... who all seem like leftovers from FRIENDS.

Guest stars over the first 3 seasons have included Estelle Parsons, Ernie Hudson, Craig T. Nelson, Marsha Mason, Sam Elliott, Lois Smith, Swoosie Kurtz, Millicent Martin, John Getz, Tim Bagley, Peter Gallagher, Mary Kay Place, Rita Moreno, Roger Bart, and Peter Cambor.

But the heart of the show is the give-and-take relationship between the women, and they are marvelous together. Here's a case where two great stars equal one great show.

Finally!! A fantastic comedy about adults!! THANK YOU!

[katieruble · 10/10 · 20 April 2017]

All of my sorority sister, from over 3 decades,are wishing this was on all the time. I binged watched season 1 and 2 and then went into a "show-hole". Was delighted with Season 3 and ESPECIALLY the last couple of episodes. HEY CRITICS: You are not the general public with normal lives...I worked in that industry and everyone quickly can't see the forest for the trees. Listen to the public!! This is an amazing show and can speak for a bunch of us and we love it.

Whew!

[shawshee-09060 · 8/10 · 20 January 2020]

This season is a refreshing change from Season 5. By the end of Season 5 I was so absolutely sick of Frankie's high horse and her rants I was about to give up on this show. We get to see more of quirky, but often wise Frankie, like we did in the beginning. Grace remains the same, but I'm surprised she is so overwhelmingly insecure about her age, the last 2 episodes redeem her. I don't know what's gotten into Brianna; while she's always been the hardcore sister, she was never this selfish and heartless (nothing a good smoke session w/Frankie couldn't cure). The writing is great, but the show needs to stay mindful that they don't turn each character into a caricature of themselves. They did that last season w/Frankie, now it seems to be Brianna. I get that each person has "their thing", but if Bud's annoying wife can pull it together, anyone can.

Great at the beginning but..

[minchyg · 6/10 · 3 February 2019]

As the seasons went on, the show really gets worse and worse. Frankie starts acting as if she has brain damage and family drama is over the top.. It is sad because show was really fun at the beginning..

Simply Superb

[lisacarlson50 · 10/10 · 23 July 2016]

What is truly wonderful about this Netflix series is the writing has gotten richer with each episode. It's a given the 4 main characters who are all in their 70s are excellent but so is the supporting cast. June Diane Raphael steals every scene she's in. She could have her own show. The depth of issues discussed is also handled with intelligence and humor. The final episodes of both seasons 1 & 2 are hysterical. Tomlin has been nominated for an Emmy this year. You get the distinct feeling there's a great deal of truth to her character and Fonda's. Both women look fantastic. This is a show about marriage and the ties that bind. It's about friendship, love and owning up to who we are. It's about the humor in living and remembering to be self-deprecating. Grace and Frankie is simply superb!

Uneven but overall entertaining

[sbsieber · 7/10 · 8 April 2017]

For the most part, I have been enjoying this series. I'm as far as the middle of Season Three, and beginning to find some of it hard going. There always seems to be some big issue that no one is talking about, and there are misunderstandings etc. It's frustrating.

I find Frankie highly annoying especially, with her fruitcake hippy- dippy ways, and holier-than-thou attitude about just about everything. She is spoiled and difficult and a giant pain in the you know what. Just clean up after yourself Frankie, and get over yourself while you're at it!

Grace is far more relate-able as far as I'm concerned, and Fonda plays the role very well; also she is in amazing physical condition, and while I assume she has had cosmetic surgery of some sort, it is extremely well done, and she still looks like herself. Can't believe she's in her mid-seventies; all that exercise in the 80s has served her well.

As far as I'm concerned, the standout among the veteran actors is Martin Sheen who shows an aptitude for a light comic touch - I would like to see more of him, and more humorous situations for him to react to. His partner Sol, played by Sam Waterston, is a lovely man, but I find him to be awkward to the extent that I can't really believe the romance between him and Robert. He is too much of a caricature; too much mugging and general mannerisms, tics and whatnot. I love the actor, but would like to see him toned down and more human, more believable.

All other supporting actors playing the adult children of the four main characters are wonderful,and a joy to watch. They are interesting and likable characters in their own right. I also enjoyed seeing the guest actors who come and go, Swoozie Kurtz, Marsha Mason, Sam Elliot, Craig T. Nelson, Mary Kay Place, Michael Gross etc. It's nice to see these professionals still in action.

One of my biggest beefs, and this is going to sound silly, but it really bothers me is this: There are many scenes where elaborate meals are prepared for various events, tables are laden with wonderful looking food which is set out for guests and then...someone says something, something happens, whatever - and suddenly the food is forgotten. No one eats! The food is just left there. Oooooh I hate that! Either have actors deal with the scene while eating, or don't have all that food sitting around. Just stop it!

Frankie ruins it

[s-hadithi · 2/10 · 22 January 2019]

She plays her character too dumb and there's a fine line between funny and pathetic silly