The Time of Their Lives

Who would think a road trip movie in France with 2 elderly actresses would turn out to be quite interesting and unexpected in the direction things take. An unhappily married woman with a nasty husband and a former movie star setting off to a funeral of a director in France end up together on a trip in Brittany - Ile de Re. The scenery is interesting - not as beautiful as the South of France but watchable for it being unfamiliar.

It's refreshing to see different older actresses in this kind of roles. A nice change from Maggie Smith and Judi Dench. Joan Collins has an expressive face and manages to convey comedy and emotion well. Some actresses her age have too much botox and can't show any expression at all. Pauline Collins isn't as well preserved but she is perfect for her role. Franco Nero plays an Italian artist and love interest.

Worth a watch.

You really have to hand it to Joan Collins. This film was made when she was 84. Yesterday she was 90. She's still working.

Collins stars here with another Collins, Pauline. Joan plays an old has been movie star living in a nursing home and hating it.

When the nursing home has an outing, Pauline, in town with her grouchy husband, gets stuck on the nursing home bus.

Before she knows it, she's run off with Joan, who needs her help getting to a director's funeral in France. Supposedly she wants to reintroduce herself to the Hollywood big shots. "It will be just like the Oscars. A little sadder, but not really." Joan has another agenda which she doesn't think to mention.

They do take the ferry to France, and then the problems start. They wind up stranded and become the guest of renowned artist Alberto Rossetti (Franco Nero) who finds Pauline enchanting, which makes Pauline rethink an unhappy life.

Things go from okay to bad to tragic. Somewhere in there, when Joan isn't stealing Pauline's wallet and lying to her, they find true friendship.

It's silly fun with good acting and beautiful scenery.

Joan Collins is back and she has wonderful scenes. There are no aliens nor guns just two old ladies who came together with some sad and some funny moments. And there is just more than it looks on the beginning.

Camera work and scenery are wonderful.

For the younger CGI and X-Men-whatever generation it might be slow and possible boring but I would call it as a wonderful heart wearming old school movie. And Joan Collins (wellknow as Alexis Carrington Colby from the 80s super hit "Dynasty") is portraying wonderful a old Hollywood diva.

Fazit: personally I loved it

Saw this at the cinema and seen it twice since. It is so worth the watch.

Both Joan's are stars. Brilliant acting as you would expect. It's funny, it's sad but most of all enjoyable.

The cast was an appetising one, and who doesn't enjoy a film with a mix of comedy, drama and road-trip? Does 'The Time of Their Lives' fully live up its potential? No. Is it a bad film? Not to me. Could it have been better? Of course. It is an uneven film, but is a pleasant way to pass the time and there is nothing offensive about it.

It has plenty of reasons as to why people will like it. It is also not too hard to see why people would not. It is a long way from perfect. It is corny in places. It is clichéd too. And parts of the story are implausible, with a few absurd plot twists. Didn't mind so much that the story is pretty slight, but not every scene comes off with a contrived scene where the characters get stoned and a too dragged out ending.

Also wouldn't have minded a little more comedy, the film is certainly not devoid of laughs and they are not bad in quality at all but there were instances where the seriousness could have been toned down and more balanced.

However, there is a lot to like. Really liked the performances. Pauline Collins brings the right amount of vulnerability to her role, and as a character that is the complete opposite the glamorous and as ever looking younger than her 84 years Joan Collins throws herself into it with abandon. The two have a lovely natural chemistry, essential for making the film work.

Franco Nero balances comedy, drama and charm effortlessly and Joely Richardson is really quite wonderful.

'The Time of Their Lives' is a nice-looking film. Very picturesque locations and beautifully shot. The soundtrack is infectious and the direction allows the two leads and their chemistry to properly shine to the forefront and handles the different tones well.

While the script and story could have been more consistent, it is very uplifting and heart-warming while taking it seriously, reminiscent of a mix of 'Thelma and Louise' and 'Shirley Valentine'. 'The Time of Their Lives' may be corny, clichéd and implausible but these negative qualities are also balanced out well with more positive attributes. There are parts that are genuinely funny, the chemistry between Joan and Pauline sees sweet moments without being saccharine and some of it is surprisingly moving.

Overall, uneven but pleasant. 7/10 Bethany Cox