“Grandma” has an unexpected poignancy paced by a compelling performance by Lily Tomlin.

Elle (Tomlin), who has just broken up with Olivia (Judy Greer), is contacted by Sage (Julia Garner), her teen granddaughter facing an unexpected pregnancy.

Elle, a poet and college professor between jobs, has cut up her credit cards to make a wind chime. Elle nor Sage has money for the procedure.

The decision is not treated lightly. “This is probably something you will think about for the rest of your life,” Elle counsels Sage.

While Sage is not exactly Little Red Riding Hood going to grandmother’s house, this Grandma needs no Big Bad Wolf disguise. Elle, is a self-described “horrible person.”

Trying to find a solution to her granddaughter’s problem gives Elle a sense of purpose rather than “sitting around all morning being maudlin” because of her breakup. Sage’s situation must be resolved that evening.

It’s the tried and true “clock is ticking” plot device. Sage and Elle also provide the basis for the tried and true buddy film. And their driving around in a Elle’s old car becomes the tried and true road trip as they encounter characters from Elle’s past and Sage’s present.

There’s Cam (Nat Wolff), Elle’s boyfriend who refuses to take responsibility.

There’s Deathy (Laverne Cox), a tattoo parlor technician to whom Elle had loaned money.

There’s Carla (Elizabeth Pena), a coffeehouse owner to whom Elle wants to sell several first-edition books.

There’s Karl (Sam Elliott) to whom Elle was married.

There’s Judy (Marcia Gay Harden), Sage’s mom.

“Grandma” gives us a view of California life that, if not average, is not the glitz and glamor associated with Hollywood. Elle’s home is perched in the hills. Karl’s home is similarly situated, but with even better views. Judy works in a modern high-rise with sleek offices. Elle’s classic Dodge plies the surface streets with the moral authority of a hearse.

The Dodge, the homes and the landscape are characters, but don’t upstage the eccentric characters.

Tomlin (TV’s “Grace And Frankie,” 2015 - ) is a joy to behold in a relaxed performance that deserves Oscar actress nomination consideration. Tomlin’s droll delivery, bemused eyes and economical acting energizes the character she portrays as well as the film. Tomlin, wearing large sunglasses, denim jacket, black top, black pants and black tennis shoes, is a very hip grandmother.

Garner (“The Perks Of Being A Wallflower,” 2012) provides a modest self-contained performance as the ironically-named Sage to balance Elle’s super-sized personality.

The supporting actors are well-cast and memorable, especially Harden as Sage’s obnoxious mom and Elle’s daughter. Elliot (TV’s “Justified,” 2015) is deserving of an Oscar supporting actor nomination, not only for his stentorian baritone, but for his seamless transition from amiable to awful.

Writer-Director Paul Weitz (“Admission,” 2013; “Being Flynn,” 2012; “Little Fockers,” 2010; “About A Boy,” 2002) lets the camera linger on his actors. Weitz’s screenplay bristles with humorous true-to-life dialogue. “Isn’t treadmill desk redundant?” Elle asks Judy. When Elle shows Sage a copy of the book, “The Feminine Mystique” by Betty Friedan, Sage refers to Mystique from “The X-Men.”

The film is segmented with about a half-dozen title cards, not unlike chapters in a book, echoing Elle’s profession. Plot twists provide a propulsive power. Along the way, Elle and Sage gain wisdom.

Soft lighting, back lighting, hand-held camera and use of telephoto lenses by Cinematographer Tobias Datum (“Smashed,” 2012) captures the often overcast skies of Southern California and gives “Grandma” a vibrancy, familiarity and emotional intimacy that helps tell the story.

If you’re a Lily Tomlin fan, you’d be wise to visit “Grandma.”

“Grandma,” MPAA rated R (Restricted. Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian.) for language and some drug use; Genre: Comedy, Drama; Run time: 1 hr. 19 mins.; Distributed by Sony Pictures Classics.

Credit Readers Anonymous: Lily Tomlin owns the 1955 Dodge Royal she drives in”Grandma.”

Box Office, Sept. 18:

The sequel, “Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials,” blazed its way to No. 1, opening with $30.3 million, outracing the Johnny Depp true-life crime drama, “Black Mass,” opening at No. 2 with $23.3 million;

3. “The Visit,” $11.3 million, $42.3 million, two weeks; 4. “The Perfect Guy,” $9.6 million, $41.3 million, two weeks; 5. “Everest,” $7.5 million, opening; 6. “War Room,” $6.2 million, $49 million, four weeks; 7. “A Walk In The Woods,” $2.7 million, $24.7 million, three weeks: 8. “Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation,” $2.2 million, $191.7 million, eight weeks; 9. “Straight Outta Compton,” $1.9 million, $158.9 million, six weeks; 10. “Grandma,” $1.6 million, $3.7 million, five weeks

Unreel, Sept. 25:

“Hotel Transylvania 2,” PG: Dracula and friends return in the animation comedy that includes voices by Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez and Kevin James.

“The Intern,” PG-13: A 70-year-old widower (Robert De Niro) is tired of retirement so he interns at a fashion web site run. Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo and Nat Wolff costar in the comedy directed by Nancy Meyers.

“The Green Inferno,” R: Student activists travel to the Amazon. They didn’t heed the “global warning.” Eli Roth directs the horror film.

“99 Homes,” R: The flip-it house foreclosure trend gets the dramatic treatment. Andrew Garfield, Michael Shannon, Laura Dern and Clancy Brown star.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes