Active Adults

Who doesn't like to fantasize? The protagonist as both character and narrator of the movie, happens to be an unemployed, directionless cartoonist. His designs meddle in an otherwise chaotic world to which he seeks to rewrite pictorially. His plot and storyline are based on the real people of his life and a few hapless others. In essence, those others are rebelling against their own destinies as if they hadn't chosen them in the first place, even his grandfather at age 80-something. The movie is essentially boils down to regret and rebellion against age (or aging), and while an interesting concept, it has at its base disingenuous people whom are selfish, don't take responsibility for a life of their own decisions, and are now yelling at the wind in desperation. Rewriting the narrative? That's called decision-making, not fantasizing.

A terrific movie that tracks two couples at opposite ends of their lives, each struggling with similar questions about love and identity. After finding it difficult to achieve a NY lifestyle after college, Malcolm and Lily move into an 'active adult' community with Malcolm's grandparents. While Malcolm is content to enjoy himself there and take it slow in the 'burbs, Lily is immediately anxious to move on to big things. At the same time, Malcolm's grandparents are having their own difficulties.

I found the movie poignant, honest, and insightful. It takes you into the intimate headspace of every character, and two young leads are both terrific. But its the characters around them that truly flesh out the movie: I loved the scenes of Dominic Chianese, playing Malcolm's grandfather, wandering around the diners and parks of suburban NJ in his nicest suit. And the people Malcolm meets in-and-around the active adult community are also superbly weird-yet-ordinary in a wonderful way.

I would highly recommend the film as one of the best I've watched in a long time. It's enjoyable even when its sad, and its ultimately satisfying in a way that is honest to the characters and to a vision of how people--with all their flaws and foibles--grapple with the moments in life that can be overwhelming or paralyzing. Unequivocally ten stars!!

A thoughtful, poignant film. The movie navigates the lives of the characters on the cusp of, and then in the midst of, change beautifully. I loved how the tone shifted from moments of quiet solitude, to intense interactions, and finally an ending that left me smiling. Highly recommend!