FilmSnobReviews

Title: The Age of Adaline
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Lee Toland Krieger
Starring:Blake Lively, Michael Huisman, Harrison Ford
Runtime:1 hr 49 mins

What It Is: When 29 year old widow Adaline Bowman (Lively) is involved in an odd one car accident which saw her begin to drown and simultaneously get struck by lightning. This accident has caused her to never age. She shall forever remain 29 years old. Despite having to watch her daughter age in front of her, as well as witness countless others she loves disappear from her life Adaline moves along. As she does she never stays in one place too long. When she arrives at a New Year’s Eve party one year her life is changed when she meets the strapping Ellis Jones (Huisman) and she starts to change what she believes.

What We Think: Blake Lively gives her best turn to date, but the film sputters along with a mediocre script. Harrison Ford shows that he still has it, and Ellen Burstyn is good as always. I think way too many critics read into the fantasy of the film to much, but one legitimate gripe in plot is the ridiculous amount of coincidences that the narrative strung together. Almost as if to say nothing happens outside our happy accidents. I didn’t feel the chemistry between Ellis and Adaline, however I bought in to it between Adaline and the younger William (played with a starling resemblance by Anthony Ingruber). Overall this is a film whose feet trip over itself, and end with a whimper instead of a roar.

Our Grade: C-, It doesn’t reinvent the cinematic wheel, but I don’t think it was ever going to. We do however get a good piece of throwaway romantic fluff with a touch of scifi in it. Hopefully more of Blake Lively’s roles put her in this light she is in here, because I think she nails Adaline’s old soul 100%. That’s one of the only parts of the film I bought.