Late Bloomers

In an age where personal responsibility and accountability have become increasingly hard to come by, it's comforting to know that it's never too late to grow up, as evidenced in director Lisa Steen's debut feature outing. This touching yet insightful comedy-drama tells the story of Louise (Karen Gillan), a 28-year-old Brooklynite seriously in need of getting her act together. When the would-be musician breaks her hip while in a drunken stupor, she undergoes surgery to repair the damaged joint, but, while recovering in the hospital, she's assigned to a semi-private room with a cantankerous old woman who only speaks Polish, Antonina (Margaret Sophie Stein). Language considerations aside, they get off to a rough start on a variety of fronts. But, before long, Louise comes to understand and appreciate Antonina's simmering frustration with essentially being treated as though she's invisible and ends up, quite surprisingly, becoming her caretaker after being released from the hospital. And, through this unlikely relationship, Louise starts to take her own life more seriously, leaving her irresponsibility behind and finally living up to her obligations, most notably reconnecting with her mother, Dorothy (Talia Balsam), who's in the late stages of early onset Alzheimer's Disease. Based on this picture, it's certainly heartening to see that it's possible for those in need of getting their lives in order can still do so, even with some slip-ups along the way. "Late Bloomers" serves up a charming mix of laughs (many of them unexpected in nature) that are well integrated with its share of tender, sensitive moments, all brought to life by the excellent performances of the two leads and a host of colorful supporting players. There are a few points where the narrative meanders a bit, but these are more than made up for by everything that the filmmaker, cast and crew get right. Based on what I've seen here, I'm anxious to see what this director comes up with next, as this effort represents an auspicious start to what I hope and believe will be a promising filmmaking career.

This movie hit home hard in a beautiful, sad and funny way. .... So thank you very much for this film! I loved it. If you're dealing with someone with Alzheimer, take a box of tissues and watch this movie. It's like a little present, we are not alone. Help each other out to share the 'burden' . That's what this movie teaches us, and so many other things. I'm not 28 years anymore but could really relate to Louise.

All the actors did a tremendous job. The only thing was the character Max, it wasn't clear to me where he lives but he was very nice.

Too bad we have to write 600 words, cause I've said everything I want to say.

10 out of 10 for me.

This film is emotional, funny, sad, and layered. The main plot is about a woman who is ann emotional wreck due to a breakup. But as the film develops you learn there is much more to her. Her life has been touched by heartache that goes deeper than just a simple breakup. You are brought into her life and the feelings she has because of her past. The sub plot is her relationship with an elderly woman who brings silent emotion to the story. The elderly woman misses her past and learns to move into her future from the main character. Each character plays a critical role in bringing every emotion into each scene. If you speak a bit of Polish than the subtle jokes become more of an inside joke you have with the Polish characters, but don't worry, if you don't, you are filled in at the end.

This movie kills and everybody is fantastic in their rolls. I immediately want to see a follow-up cause this is my life. Malgorzata Zajaczkowska, when she hits the dance floor in her red dress and that song hits, it sinks me, that chance to just feel free even for a moment, so very inspiring. Such good choices of music, everyone did amazing and I hope to see these actors in their future endeavors, I love this movie. Karen is such a great actor for this gen, smart, funny and damn real. Happy to see movies like this I can relate to. Someday my superpowers will manifest but in the meantime, I really enjoy movies that both point out my stuffs, yet inspire me to be greater and find the happiness within simple circles. Happy!!!

I am a big Karen Gillan fan, I have watched all of her movies that I have been able to find. Also her outstanding stint on "Dr. Who." And she is so talented, with a great singing voice, as she demonstrates briefly in this movie. I probably would have enjoyed this movie if it had a different actress in the lead role but it would not have been as good.

Here Gillan (in her early 30s) is Louise, a 28-yr-old who it seems is having a hard time accepting adulthood. As the movie opens she is on a second story apartment ledge, with too much booze in her she falls hard and ends up in the hospital. She has a broken hip.

As fate would have it she is temporarily in the same recovery room as an older, difficult Polish woman who does not speak English. They immediately detest each others' company but Louise needs an income and the older lady needs a caretaker. That developing relationship is what the movie is about and in the process Louise learns responsibility and how to grow into adulthood.

Not great movie, I didn't enjoy all the scenes, but overall I found it to be enjoyable entertainment, particularly because of Gillan, she is superb! And her song near the end is really great.

At home, streaming.