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Sunday, 20 October 2013

That Is My Age: films about midlife relationships




I am fully aware of how excruciating midlife dating can be. It's like being a teenager all over again, with extra baggage. Having met Mr That's Not My Age in my late thirties, we started dating a few months after my fortieth birthday - and that's all I'm saying. So. Though I'm not usually a fan of rom-coms, I really liked Enough Said. It's a lovely film with a great dialogue and an even better cast. Like Late Quartet and Le Weekend there's an honesty about relationships and ageing, but here there are laugh out loud moments too. And some of my favourite actors: Catherine Keener, Toni Collette, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss and of course, the late James Gandolfini.



And Tavi Gevinson as Eva's daughter's best friend. She can act. Who knew?



It's sad to think that this is Gandolfini's last leading role, and that definitely adds another layer of poignancy to the film. I really sobbed at the end when the credits rolled and a 'For Jim' dedication popped up.

My quote of the week is from Eva (Louis-Dreyfuss) who on a first date with Albert (Gandolfini playing a big teddy bear of a man) admits:


'Our middle-agedness is kind of comforting and sexy to me.'



I'm finding films about midlife relationships are kind of comforting to me.


15 comments:

  1. Oh, we saw trailers for this last weekend -can't wait to see it!

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  2. Oh, we saw trailers for this last weekend -can't wait to see it!

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  3. Thanks for this - the film is on my must-see list. I met my husband when we were in our late thirties, too. It's very cool.

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  4. I was going to see Le Week-end but this looks better. I met my current husband at 48, and he is the best.

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  5. I remarried at 56:). So I'm dying to see this, also, have been in love with Gandolfini since he watched the ducks in his Sopranos swimming pool:). Maybe I will go with my sister...

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  6. I love the sound of this film, looking forward to seeing it.

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  7. Another blog I read really ripped the movie to shreds, but I trust your opinion, so you have now convinced me to go check it out for myself!

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  8. I really want to see this -- love all these actors. . . will watch Toni Collette in anything and I haven't seen Catherine Keener for a while.

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  9. LPC - I have a glass duck ornament (sounds hideous but is actually quite beautiful) called Tony Soprano.

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  10. Dating? what is that?
    I think I have been married all my life, hahhahahahhahah.
    Thank you soooooooooooo much for your visit
    Great post.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  11. Loved the film. Met hubby at 38, and married at 41. Two teenagers now thinking about leaving home, so I sobbed a bit at those scenes. The only thing that I didn't think rang true, a tiny quibble. Would they really Skype, Eva and her best mate? Looks like they lived near, saw each other quite a bit. Skype is a big thing in films, and I can see it's better than watching someone have a phone conversation, but somehow doubt this would happen unless they lived many miles/oceans apart. Discuss. Yours, Picky

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  12. So looking forward to seeing this movie. Great to hear so many good reviews about JG - I already know I'm going to be sobbing!

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  13. Thanks for this, I think I'm going to get it on Apple TV tonight as other half is out (bliss sometimes but don't tell him, ha). Only found your blog recently btw and love it, great work. From a 35-year old blogger and fashion lover :-)

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  14. Well, however good Gandolfini is in this film, he is mis-cast next to Dreyfus - he looks like he could play her father! If this movie is geared towards women, shouldn't she have more believable partner?

    I think Mark Ruffulo or someone like him is a better fit. He's an everyday middle-aged kind of guy who doesn't look like her father in the way Gandolfini does.

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  15. Tavi and Elaine-from-Seinfeld, I mean, what more could you want?!

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