Adaline

I am not fond of fantasies--which seem to be all the rage in film these days, but this one is different, because aside from the eternal-life premise, the rest is very believable. Two romances are intertwined artistically and the acting is very good.

An acquaintance had the same reaction I did--where is Harrison Ford? And when he appears, you will be pleasantly surprised.

I was also pleasantly surprised that there was little or no profanity or gratuitous nudity and sex, proving that good movies can be made without those inclusions that so many producers these days seem to feel is necessary, and add nothing to the story, and actually turn some of us off. Maybe they are finally getting the message.

While the premise is "out-of-this-world," the love stories are down-to-earth, and something all of us (hopefully) can relate to.

This is a standard love story drama. It could have been so much more, but the actors could only take what they're given so far.

The writers/etc could have turned the age element of the movie into something truly unique, and explored the interesting angles it offers (is it possible to have many 'true loves'? How would a wizened woman of many years express herself whilst encased in the body of a late twenties young woman? How would she act in critical situations which faze less experienced people? How would she keep up with the times? What jobs or knowledge would she focus on? How would she nurture the legacy she leaves behind in the form of her sons and daughters?).

Instead, the movie went for the superficial, flimsy, easy options (examples: she's great at navigating traffic because she's had decades to learn the city's shortcuts, she wears a lot of old-cut clothing), and turned the main protagonist into a ditsy ditherer at key moments that needed a more delicate and refined touch (her attitude when being chatted up at parties, her car breaking down, meeting her lover's family for the first time). Even the jobs she has and the skills she's acquired are just sort of padding and not really explored despite being a key choice she's made.

Basically, the whole movie focuses on the love story between this protagonist and her new boyfriend despite already having a potentially very interesting female lead character that could have been developed so much more elegantly; a new boyfriend might be a part of that, that makes sense... but it took up far too much of the film's focus when there were other topics that needed some development too. It felt like a feast of potentially interesting avenues were hinted at in the writing, and yet the main route taken was the typical stereotype love story. Why bother kicking off the story with such an interesting twist if it just becomes part of the backdrop and doesn't influence the characters' behaviour?

That leads me onto a final point which made me increasingly uncomfortable when watching the film – the way the male lead character pressures and pushes the lead protagonist into going out with him is a bit unnerving. He publicly pressures her into having a photo taken in front of her colleagues when she's clearly unsettled by it, and then offers her a way out: go on a date with him. Hm. They part ways. Then later on he finds out her address (via her workplace?!) which she wanted to keep private, and just pops up to stalk her a bit more. The first half of their dynamic is her pushing him away, placating him, etc. and him being far too full on – it's not romantic, it's really creepy to see, and it's another point where I think a woman of over 100 wouldn't behave in the "no doesn't really mean no" ditsy schoolgirl manner, which quite frankly was a bit weird. It made me uncomfortable watching it when supposedly the movie's main intention was to make me think this new relationship was "cute". It wasn't. It was just stalker-ish!

As I'm the romantic type, it would be hard for me to keep being objective. I will also avoid peeling some onions to not make this any harder.

Of course it's not the first time a movie is focused on the forever young theme. It's actually becoming redundant and to be frank not always beautifully used as it should be.

But Adaline is a good exception and this beautiful story will let you shed some tears and give you a warm feeling that life has many beautiful things to offer so we have to enjoy every opportunity given to our eyes. Of course it's not as powerful as Titanic or Gone with the Wind but it is without a doubt one of the best movies I've seen this year.

The main reason is probably Blake Lively. She is illuminating in this movie and we could feel that she owns Adaline throughout the story. She's always in the right tone, the right emotion and she transported me throughout the movie. The rest of the cast is doing great too especially Harrison Ford who I was surprised to see in that kind of movie. This is proving me how great and talented this actor is. He gave to this old man haunted by his past a real deal of emotions.

So here it is. Now let me empty that brand new tissue box next to me and wish you a nice ride in Adaline Land.

Excellent performances, a truly poignant story. See it, you won't be disappointed.

Director Lee Toland Krieger wisely speeds through the scientific mumbo-jumbo, treating it as the least-interesting aspect of this tale. Instead, he focuses on the relationship fallout of Adaline's predicament. It's a disarmingly affecting film, and very sad at points. A rumination on loneliness. Cinematically, Krieger serves up numerous arching, overhead shots and slow-motion sequences. This coupled with the various time periods tackled gives the picture a buoyant sense of scope.

Particularly memorable in this is Harrison Ford. After stiff and stagey efforts in movies such as "42," Ford delivers a beautifully conflicted performance as a man trying to reconcile his past.

Highly recommended.

The acting in this I cannot fault, though Adeline has a very low range of emotions given the material, her demure persona is a sign of the times in which she was raised. Perhaps it was the stiff upper lip if the early 20th century? I have never seen the male lead and he suited his part well.

I watched this with my mother and daughters ( sobbing continued on both sides with both generations for different reasons, but both centred around loss). I felt torn, suitably watching this with both generations, as to what part of the film affected me most. Those with children and aging parents will understand when viewing this.

The soundtrack was beautiful and the song played during the most emotive scenes is both beautiful and haunting enough for me to seek it out.

A beautiful movie, which is a little in the fantasy realm in its explanation behind the mortality/immortality aspect which makes it almost fairy tale like, but beautifully executed, and gorgeously told. See it with your mother or daughter, or like I did, both! Take your tissues!