Et si on vivait tous ensemble?

I hesitated writing this review because in some sense I don't know what to make of the film. I applaud the filmmakers taking on the multiple challenges of growing old , many of which are disturbing and undignified. It's likely that few people under 30 will want to see this film and many under 20 might find it absolutely yucky. The thought of Grandpa or Grandma having a sex life is probably a turn off to most mainstream moviegoers. It has rarely been handled credibly or tastefully. The current TV show Grace and Frankie is one of the rare exceptions and that has to do with both writing and casting.

Which gets us to Jane Fonda. I think she is brilliant in the TV show but sounds a jarring note here. I suppose the reason is a compliment to her. She just doesn't look her age. She appears to be 20 years younger ( at the least) than the other actors in the ensemble. Nobody talks about it, but it is unmistakable. And it becomes more disturbing with each passing reel. It is the elephant in the room. For this film to work, you needed actors who look their age. Otherwise much of the dialogue rings hollow. All of the men in the cast look their age. There is no stretch of credibility there. The women - not so much. And it is never more jarring than in the case of Ms. Fonda.

There is nothing wrong with her performance. In fact a US audience might find it quite startling to watch her speak French throughout her performance. Think about that. Jane Fonda had to be subtitled for an English speaking audience. But it's not nearly as jarring as having someone who appears to be 50ish, interacting with and claiming to be the equal of characters who are in their mid-70s.

Good for you, Jane. You really do look terrific, and not just for your age. But casting you in this film has undercut its credibility.

It is rare to see a movie that touches on the inevitable yet frightening stage of old age. Topics such as sex, independence, and life long friendships (as well as deception, jealousy, commitment) are weaved in and out this story. I loved each character and could easily imagine them in their younger years. Everyone looks so good for their age it's hard to believe that they were in their 70's and 80'S. Jane Fonda and Geraldine Chaplin make you do a double take regarding what a woman in her 70s can look like. Dancing and exercise WILL keep your body looking like a 20 year old. Im also surprised that this didn't get higher ratings. Great acting,great scenery, and underrated story. I had no idea that Jane Fonda spoke french. Who knew!

Jane Fonda ! In a cinema français ! And Gerry Chaplin, daughter of Charlie Chaplin; she also happens to be the (disowned) grand-daughter of playwright Gene O'Neill. If you read E. O'Neill's story, you'll see that he was not a happy guy, and apparently shared the unpleasantness. SO. In our story, Annie (Gerry) and Jeanne (Fonda) and three more seniors decide to move in together to look after one another. And student Kirk will study them. And, as expected, that brings its own set of problems. Big fights over installing a pool. Will anyone get to use it? Cute ending. Very well done. No big surprises, but some fun moments. Written and directed by Stéphane Robelin. Showing on roku channel.

As much as we try to believe that we may do better when we hit that old age mark, it is hard not to be skeptical about how much we may think we know.

"Et Si On Vivait Tous Ensemble?" is a lovely movie that, in spite of its comic look at our possible destiny, raises that issue that most of us are afraid to accept: getting old without loved ones that are willing to hold our hand until the end. We are all born alone into this world, but from the moment we experience the comfort of people's company we are hooked for life. And realizing that that company may not be there when our time comes is a hard reality.

In the same line as "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel", although less fancy in its production, this movie is a lovely dose of optimism to those who already feel like they are left behind, as well as any young generation who think that old age is something to ignore instead of embracing with love and respect.

ALL TOGETHER (Et si on vivait tous ensemble?) is an important French film written and directed by Stéphane Robelin that addresses the ever more important question of aging. People are living longer and while that has its benefits it also poses problems not only for the aging population who must learn to cope with their diminishing facilities but also for the families of those who may not be content with their fading importance and individuality. In other words, how will we each cope with getting old without loved ones that are willing to hold our hand and be comfortably at our side until the end? Films such as this are being created more frequently (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel form this year also addressed similar issues as The Bucket Plan and other in the recent past). Where ALL TOGETHER differs is in the honest way the feelings and expectations and coping codes are managed with dignity without losing the lightness of comedy.

Annie (Geraldine Chaplin) Jean (Guy Bedos) are a married couple who live in a home large enough to accommodate others: their grandchildren no longer visits, a fact the Annie feels could be rectifies by building a swimming pool but Jean objects: Claude (Claude Berhnard) is reaching 75 and since his wife died he has been satisfying his needs with hookers until a heart attack impedes his performance abilities and he must seek pharmacologic enhancement; Albert (Pierre Richard) has Alzheimer's and is increasingly forgetful while his wife Jeanne (Jane Fonda) is hiding the fact that she has terminal cancer while at the same time planning her own rather lighthearted pink coffin funeral. These five 70ish people have been friends for over forty years. But they are growing old and old age tends to be synonymous with reduced autonomy, loss of memory, illness, retirement home and, worst of all, separation. One day, one of the five friends suggests saying no to isolation and loneliness: what if they lived together? How this group of friends, with their accompanying old secrets and jealousies, interact in the new development of living in Annie and Jean's home - with the added assistance from young ethnology student Dirk (Daniel Brühl) who happens to be writing a thesis on the aging population - results in many credible, tender stories of need and interaction in the 'golden years.' An uplifting film about the better aspects of growing old - with friends.

Grady Harp