More Movies for Grownups

In addition to last week’s five, I have six more movies for you. Some aren’t out yet, but hang a note on your fridge. 

First, there’s Youth, starring Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, and Jane Fonda. Yes, really. It’s been called “a kind of cinematic symphony of aging.” According to the article, “Critics are already calling for Oscars for both Fonda’s and Caine’s performances. But Caine said he loves Youth so much he would’ve done it for free.” (Jada Yuan at Vulture.com)

Next up: Love is Strange starring John Lithgow and Alfred Molina. Here’s what they say about the film: “The married couple at the center of this poignant love story happen to be two men (John Lithgow and Alfred Molina, who are both splendid). But the crises they face and the grace with which they endure them could fall to any aging pair; they’ve been together 39 years.”

St. Vincent, with Bill Murray and Melissa McCarthy. Here’s the thumbnail: “Go see this film for Bill Murray’s heart-tugging turn as a grumpy Long Island loner enlisted as a babysitter for the boy next door; stay for the surprisingly nuanced study of urban isolation and intergenerational rapprochement.” Fancy way of saying “old person realizes he can’t be an island.”

Here’s one, Land Ho, in which a pair of old guys, former brothers-in-law, embark on a road trip through Iceland.

As Time Goes By, about a 60-something couple, is a series which, like Grace & Frankie, is available on DVD from Netflix. People say it’s addictive. Starring Judy Dench.

Finally, there’s Boulevard, Robin Williams’ last film. He’s a long-married man who finally comes to grips with being gay. As one character says, “Maybe it’s never too late to start living the life you really want.” Thus the eternal quandary, one that’s especially poignant in older age.

In case you missed it, here is the list from last week:

• Grace & Frankie (a Netflix series)
• Still Mine
• I’ll See You in My Dreams
• The Intern
• Ricki and the Flash

This may be a new trend (movies about the lives of older people). Or it may be an experiment by movie makers. The difference might be your feedback. Wouldn’t you hate if, years from now, film makers were saying “We made movies about older people but nobody watched them”? So whenever you see a movie, report back in some way that the film makers will notice. Tweet about it with the title in the hashtag, for example. If there’s a page on Facebook for the movie, go there and hit the LIKE button for the page. Thanks to Sue Shoemaker and Peggy Wheeler for leads. Get the popcorn; enjoy the show.

Related articles across the web

• Fox Searchlight Closes Deal For Paolo Sorrentino’s ‘Youth’ – Cannes UPDATE
• David Letterman begins and ends with Bill Murray
• The 18 Best British Movies on Netflix Right Now