Senior Moment

Greetings again from the darkness. Making concessions to age is something all of us deal with ... even former test pilots - although some of them might be a bit less inclined to adapt. Such is the case with Victor Martin. He's in his 70's and still enjoys ogling beautiful younger women and zipping around Palm Springs in his vintage Porsche convertible. Some might call it cliché or even pathetic, but Victor and his lifelong pal Sal Spinelli are enjoying life.

Director Giorgio Serafini is working from a script by co-writers Kurt Brungardt and Christopher Momenee, and the first thing viewers must overcome is the casting. See, Victor is played by William Shatner and Sal by Christopher Lloyd. Yep, Captain Kirk from STAR TREK and Doc Brown from BACK TO THE FUTURE are the senior citizen buddies living it up. Both actors seem to be having a good time, and seeing the two men on screen together is quite pleasing.

All good things come to an end, and when the city's new DA cracks down on dangerous elderly drivers, Victor has his license revoked and his treasured car impounded. He's frustrated, but by happenstance meets Caroline Summers (a terrific Jean Smart). The two are polar opposites, yet there's a clear connection. She's a former National Geographic photographer who now owns and runs the local Cuckoo Café - so named despite the titular time piece not being in working order. Caroline is a free-spirited former hippie, and her organic diet contrasts with Victor's processed honey buns.

Victor admits he's "still trying to figure out what I'm going to do when I grow up", but he soon realizes his attraction to Caroline has impacted him more than he expected. It's an awkward romance made more challenging by the presence of artist Diego Lozana (Esai Morales) and Caroline's mystical belief in the story attached to the cuckoo clock. The film is loaded with lunacy and is not one that benefits from viewers who prefer thoughtful messages. This is designed to be mostly light-hearted fun with an element of late-in-life romance tossed in for good measure.

As a gift to its target audience, Ruta Lee (SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, 1954) makes a brief appearance, and of particular note is the final screen appearance by Kaye Ballard (she died at age 93). Also appearing in the supporting cast are Don McManus, Joe Estevez, and Jack Wallace. Maja Stojan plays Sonja, Caroline's daughter, Carlos Miranda plays Pablo Torres, and director Serafini's wife, LaDon Drummond makes an appearance as one of Victor's former flings.

The film has faced numerous delays since it wrapped, and lead William Shatner just recently turned 90 years of age. It's rare when a movie involves a broken cuckoo clock and a tortoise photo, but it's even less common for the focus to be on humor and a romance between senior citizens. This is one that plays to its intended audience, and doesn't much care about the rest.

In theaters and On Demand on March 26, 2021.

A very sweet romcom. Pleasant, feel good movie with a number of chuckles. William Shatner, Christopher Lloyd and Jean Smart are always a delight and they are given plenty of room to be themselves. There are worse ways to spend your time.

I approached this rom-com among the elderly with great trepidation. The cast is headed by three actors whose work I've enjoyed many times - William Shatner, Christopher Lloyd and Jean Smart. The anxiety comes from decades of such films turning out to be mush that can be downed without dentures, as the seniors become caricatures in absurd situations. One common trope is for a hot, much younger woman to fall for a man old enough to be at least her father. Such connections develop even without the geriatric gent having enough money or fame to provide incentive. I suppose the tradition arose from old white male studio heads, who lived their own fantasies vicariously via the screening room. If a Walter Matthau character could reel in an Ann-Margret, as he did in Grumpy Old Men, hope remains alive for them and the old dudes who buy tickets.

Mercifully, this script resists the temptations of schmaltz and gives us a relatively believable story, set in a California desert city, mainly full of retirees. Shatner is a former jet pilot, who chases skirts ardently, propping up his appeal with his Porsche convertible. He drives rather sportily, if not recklessly, as part of his charm. Unfortunately, he does so once too often, costing him possession of his car and drivers license. For him, that's the equivalent of a gelding. The rest of the film follows his efforts to regain both with the help of several friends. Along the way, he meets a free-spirited, age-appropriate baker (Smart) for whom he develops an uncharacteristic attraction. You can fill in the rest of where they'll wind up on your own. But screen writers Kurt Brungardt and Christopher Momenee make the journey entertaining, while director Giorgio Serafini runs the table in a crisp 92 minutes.

There's less need to suspend disbelief here than usual for the genre. The supporting cast contributes well all around. Scenes in a retirement home are free of cheap gags at the occupants' expense. The scenery of Palm Springs and its environs are used to good advantage. Shatner forgoes the long mid-sentence pauses he made (in)famous as Star Trek's Captain Kirk. That either means at 90 he's more lucid than 50, or so, years ago; or he's become a better actor, who no longer needs such gimmicks. Ideally, both would be true. Smart plays a very contemporary woman, strong and certain of her standards and aspirations, helping to make the film fresh and current.

There's nothing profound to be gained here, but at least it's a safe bet for your entertainment time and money. That's more than many wind up offering.

At almost 90 when this movie was filmed William Shatner belies his age and gives a delightful performance, ably supported by Jean Smart who in spite of being almost 70, was still the sexiest woman in the film. Others have explained the plot, it's no classic that's true, but for an easy to watch, not too long, mildly amusing little trifle, it ticks all the boxes, just sit back and relax and watch some old masters at work, and the Palm Springs scenery doesn't hurt either. I found it a refreshing and relaxing change from most of the high octane garbage that's churned out these days!

This was a most pleasant surprise. A romantic and funny comedy involving older people. So refreshing! Shatner and Smart deliver heartfelt and humorous performances. Supporting cast was also really great. If you want a feel good movie that doesn't take itself too serious...this is it. And Palm Springs backdrop is a bonus!