The Time of Their Lives

I have to say I enjoyed every single moment of this, a truly moving, funny and engaging movie that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Two actresses I have always admired, both true talents, combining once again to great effect. The pair had worked together many years before in an episode of takes of the unexpected, back then Joan was the star, with Pauline somewhat in her shadow. A similar tale here, but as it goes on you see there's depth to both characters. Some great humour, mostly from Joan, and some heart breaking moments, many from Pauline. I urge you to watch this film. 9/10

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.

This is a really sweet film. It's like the OAP version of Thelma and Louise.

The film revolves around Helen and Pricilla, played by Joan and Pauline Collins.

Helen is a narcissistic former film star, who was huge back in the 1960's, but since then she's been forgotten, all after she fell apart, and disappeared from the public eye, some years ago. She hasn't accepted the fact that it's over for her, even though when we first meet her, she is being taken out for a trip from an old people's home.

Priscilla's very Mumsie. She is just a likable person. Sadly, her husband treats her like crap, and she is living an albeit comfortable, yet miserable life. She accidentally gets caught up in the old people's trip, and our story begins.

There is also the small, yet memorable part of Alberto, played by Franco Nero. Alberto is an Italian artist who the girls stumble upon, he is kind, and affectionate, and he shows Priscilla just what she might be missing in life.

The chemistry between Joan and Pauline Collins is great, they bounce off each other and each and every interaction feel natural, but what else would you expect from two women who have been acting for over 100 years between them?

There's a lot of talk about how older actors, and especially older actresses, don't get a lot of work anymore. Often because few good parts are written for them. Films like RED, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and the soon to be released Going in Style, should show studio execs that older actors still have something special to offer. No, scrap that, not 'still have', they have something that younger actors don't have, decades of experience. Why would we waste it? It makes no sense.

Back to our film.

Our two friends travel to France to attend the funeral of the director who cast Helen in her first big film role. Along their journey, they discover a few things both about each other, and about themselves. There is a very serious undertone that runs through this film, it has a sadness, that comes with loss, a loss we all feel at some point in our lives. Yet, it still manages to laugh, at itself, at the situation it finds itself in, at life. I've always felt that this is the best way to deal with pain and adversity, so I appreciate the message that this film puts across.

In the loosest sense, this is a road movie, and a charming one at that, with in fact very little time actually spent on the road, but it's hard to describe it as much else. It's a story of self-discovery, and although it may not be perfect, it's well worth a watch.

This film tells the story of a nice old woman in an unhappy marriage, who bumps into a former film star. She is coerced into a trip to France by the film star.

The two women have very different personalities and very different hearts. One is nice, helpful but carries a burden in her heart. The other is a selfish and manipulative woman who will use everyone around her. Different things happen to them, and it's refreshing to have a reminder that nice things happen to nice people. The scenery is nice and the weather is beautiful too. There are many things to like about this film. It is worth a watch.

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