MovieChat Forums > Tammy (2014) Discussion > Small age difference nitpick

Small age difference nitpick

posted 9 years ago by melissaped523
7 replies | jump to latest

Okay, so I know in movies people can play people who are older or younger than they are but think about this for a second,

Melissa McCarthy was born in 1970 making her 45, the grandma was born in 1946 making for 69. That means there is only 24 years apart from the two. BAD CASTING. I mean, unless Tammy's mom had Tammy at 12. and Tammy's granma had her at 12 this would be impossible.

So let's say they aren't playing their real ages. Tammy's grandma makes a pregnancy comment so I am thinking Tammy must be playing a person mid thirties at the latest. So I am going to take a shot at it and say Tammy is supposed to be 35, her mom 55, and her grandma is 75. I could be wrong here maybe the ages are said, but Idk just knowing the actors it is hard to believe someone around the age that Melissa McCarthy actually is would have a grandma that is young enough to be played by the actor that she is. If someone in their mid 40's grandmother is still alive they would have to be at least 80.

I know it's kind of strange for me to dismantle this that much, but it was the one thing bother me the whole time in the movie. 24 years is WAY TO SHORT of an age difference to have someone playing the grandmother. Hell, it probably would have added to the story to cast Betty White or someone who really was 75+ in the role she played.

[–] crysjumar 9 years ago

I think you have answered your own question. You said it's kind of strange for me to dismantle it this way. That sums it all up

[–] DarkStormyNight 9 years ago

Have you ever watched The Golden Girls? Estelle Getty, who played Sophia, was slightly younger than Bea Authur, who played Dorothy. Meaning not only was the daughter played by someone older, but that they were just over a year apart in age.

They are actresses and actors, they don't always play a character that is at or near their actual age.

[–] 235SCOPE 9 years ago

I found the age thing in this movie completely distracting. I agree that actors are actors and they can play any age. But in the Hollywood star system, where audiences are so familiar with the stars' age and where stars have a persona that is connected to their age, who they date, who they play in other movies, etc., casting well-known actors in parts that are age-impossible is stupid. Bad casting choices all around.

[–] doggie_rodriguez 9 years ago

The actors may have been born in the years you said, but that doesn't mean they characters they were portraying were.

Did you watch Lincoln? I doubt that actor was born the same year as his character (1809).

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] andyd-1 8 years ago

did it say she was 45 in the film? The portrayal made her seem to be in her late 20s to me - she didn't look 45.

[–] WandererFromYs (1676) 7 months ago

I found it noticeable right away. Maybe the characters aren’t supposed be the same age as their actors, they did age up Susan Sarandon a bit, but they did nothing to establish anyone’s age, they just don’t look the part. Melissa McCarthy and Alison Janney should be playing sisters, not mother and daughter.