Hollywood indeed works in funny ways, proving so delightfully again this summer of 2015 that truth can can sometimes be a strange bedfellow of fiction.
Blythe Danner delivers the performance of her life in I’ll See You in My Dreams. The blue-eyed actress embraces the role of Carol Peterson, co-written and directed so warmly by Brett Haley, and turns it into a subtle celebration of how time indeed should still matter to us all.
Haley and Marc Basch have drawn a story of a widow quietly living her life in southern California thinking she’s quite comfortable and satisfied and over the death of her dear husband in a plane crash 20 years prior, thank you. Then her house companion of the last 14 years, pretty dog Hazel, can’t get up one morning, and she must make the final fateful decision at the vet’s office. The movie starts with this painfully sad scene early on, and the totally like-aged Friday night crowd in the packed Manlius Art Cinema made its empathy audible and palpable.
A certain uneasiness sets in as Carol goes back to her routine with the girls, played with big-stroke humor by Rhea Perlman, huge and curious concern by Mary Kay Place and innocent confusion by June Squibb. Then new pool boy Lloyd — young adult, really, played quite pleasingly by Martin Starr, who can seem like a less confident Matthew Broderick about a decade past his Ferris Bueller days — walks into her life and becomes an interesting if somewhat odd new friend. But the sparks are saved for the entrance of Bill, a cowboy gent who locks eyes with her on the patio at the club who proceeds to loosen feelings and thoughts she hasn’t felt in, well, too long. Her daughter Kat, low-keyed by Malin Akerman of zany TV sitcomTrophy Wife short fame, jets in from New York City for a well-timed and much-needed visit.
All of these actors add to the sum. The golden girls playing off each other deliriously after getting high and taking a trip by foot to stock up at the local supermarket, only to be stopped on the way home by a policeman. Lloyd and Carol go to a bar to sing karaoke, where she opens ears because in her past life she sang with a band in New York City and he because … otherwise. Bill and Carol dine on his boat, named after the Miles Davis song So What, which they both dig.
But Danner, at 72, is the focal point, the one person in every scene who makes them all better, the shining star who makes this movie great.
The emotions are just right. Hurt, anger, surprise, joy, confusion all either fleeting or rooted, but never over the top. Her physical beauty is striking, from those blue eyes on down, looking, yes, smooth for her age, yet natural. I don’t know if human hands have aided nature, yet I hope not. But if so, it was accomplished in a way that it doesn’t scream out in obviousness and an attendant unpleasantness.
Widow of Bruce Paltrow, mother of Gwyneth Paltrow, now deservedly a potential trophy winner in her 70s.
Life is something to be lived greatly right to the end, Blythe Danner shows, in a story about just that. How about a standing ovation for both?
Do you have a favorite movie featuring seniors, and if so, what and why? Do you have a favorite Blythe Danner movie, and if so, what and why? Do you appreciate smaller artsy movies, and why or why not?
Blythe was in my all time favorite episode of M*A*S*H. I think she’s a gem, love whatever she is in.
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People love her for that M*A*S*S episode, Apple Pie, and well we should. She is our gem, you our so correct. And I am so very glad to see you back here, my friend. ❤
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I love Blythe Danner! A very sensitive actress.
In an elevator once, a stranger asked me if I knew who she was and said I resembled her. I thanked him for the compliment. In fact, I don’t look AT ALL like Ms Danner! 😀 😀
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Good ice-breaking line, though. I give the guy kudos, Kate. 🙂
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Blythe is great, but my favorite senior is of course Betty White. Any movie with her in it usually rocks. 🙂
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OK, don’t hate me, Rachel. Betty is now being casted as a bit of a stereotype of herself. Not her fault, I know. But now she plays funny old Betty White.
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I’m definitely someone who goes for the art house /independent movies. I thought this one looked good in the trailer I saw, but we haven’t had a chance to get to the movies for a few weeks with all that’s been going on. I’ve always liked Blythe Danner, and I saw someone above mentioned the episode of MASH she was in.
Have you see Beginners? It came out a few years ago. It had Christopher Plummer as Ewan MacGregor’s father who suddenly reveals he’s gay. It’s sweet–kind of bittersweet, too.
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I’ll have to find Beginners, Merril. Thanks for the suggestion. I’m always looking to add to the good-ones arsenal. 🙂
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Hope you like it!
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this looks and sounds great, mark. great review and now i can’t wait to see it! as you know, i love the little artsy films –
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This one will be good for you, I think, Beth. Let me know what you think, please and thank you.
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I hadn’t even heard of this, and now I must see it.
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It’s a good one for people who aren’t kids anymore, MBC.
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We have gone to the movies TWO weeks in a row ON a work day. So I might just start making these movies actually possible. This one is a possibility. 😉
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Good theater-going, MBC!
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Another fan of Blythe Danner here. I particularly remember her performance in The Great Santini, but she’s always excellent. I’ll make sure to see thos one. Thanks, Mark.
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Yes, the Great Santini, adapted from the novel by one of my favorite authors, Pat Conroy. Great call here, Babe.
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I’ve always liked Blythe Danner. Even now I think she’s far classier than her daughter could ever be.
I can’t remember any specific movie of hers, but I do remember a bittersweet episode of “MASH” in which she plays a nurse who has a romance with Hawkeye.
I’ve also thought that Sam Elliott never quite got his due, though I think he did well enough in westerns. Almost 40 years ago he starred in a low-key movie called “Lifeguard” and was, I recall, very good.
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Yes, Blythe is a good example for Gwyneth as daughter matures into a different period of her life, I’d venture, Mark. And Sam is stellar in everything I can recall him in as well. Good to see you here. It’s hard to believe a year has gone by since our dinner with the Bermans! I hope you are well, my friend.
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I wanted to see the movie but now even more after reading your review:). Ready for some laughter!
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Some laughter, some tears, lots of reflecton, Kay, all satisfying. Enjoy, my friend.
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Okay, I LOVE movies like this. This is a must-see for me!
I love lotsa films about “seniors” and certainly love small, independent art films 🙂
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Joey, you are going to come out of this one very satisfied. Be warned. I had a bit of the water leaking up top.
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Since you’re my dream movie reviewer, Mark, I shall be sure to see this film. I’ve always loved Blythe Danner. The movie I most recently saw about seniors I enjoyed was
“Something’s Gotta Give,” with Keaton and Nicholson. Yes, I enjoy smaller artsy films, but the why’s will have to remain a mystery, for now.
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Mytery is good, Ann. Cloak some things, indeed. 🙂
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This will be a must see for me. Great review Mark!
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You will appreciate it, PJ. 🙂
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Sounds like a good one! I love Blythe Danner and am amazed at how she retained her beauty over the years. I hadn’t heard of this one until I read your article. Another one to add to the ‘pending child approval’ list.
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Your chillun’ will not want to see this one, Marissa. Definitely for the adults only. Nobody under 30 in the movie!
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Yeah, when I see that happening, as much as I’d like to see the movie to the finish, I know it just ain’t gonna happen. Even if I keep it on, it will get talked over.
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Sooner than you realize you and hubby will be empty nesters, Marissa. Time flies, believe me. 😮
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When the time comes, I’ll have to contact you for a movie list so make sure you’re keeping track! Ha, ha!
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When that happens, Marissa, I’ll be ready. 🙂
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Great review. I love artsy movies. The movies that are more subtle, their meaning and symbolism runs deep. Action movies are great, but give me a movie that keeps you thinking long after it is over – those are my favorite types of movies.
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Yes, S.D. This movie is a thinker. See it if you can.
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Based on your review, I absolutely will go see it!!!!!!
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I’ve always liked Blythe Danner; she seems genuine in all her portrayals. (even in her osteoporosis ads ☺) Looks like lots of mature talent in this one. Thanks, Mark.
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You got that right, Van. Mature talent doing their thing in a smart movie. Imagine that.
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It’s great when the story-driven movie makes an appearance. The special effects and technology have their draw, but still…love me some good writing ! ☺
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This writer says, yes!
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