FilmSnobReviews

Title: I’ll See You in my Dreams
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Brett Haley
Starring: Blythe Danner, Martin Starr, Sam Elliott
Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins

What It Is: When Carol’s (Danner) dog dies she is suddenly, completely alone. As she goes through the motions of her twilight years she gets in to a chance conversation with her pool man Lloyd (Starr) who reciprocates an interest in hanging out with the older Carol. Meanwhile Carol’s friends (played by Rhea Pearlman, Mary Kay Place and June Squibb) are trying to get her back in to the dating game. Through those efforts Carol meet a dapper older gentleman named Bill (Elliott) whom she develops feelings for. All the while we’ll get to guide Carol through her loneliness, for better or worse as it is.

What We Think: This is totally Blythe Danner’s film, and she is an absolute marvel. Everything about this film is enjoyable. It’s leaves you with a smile on your face, and a wonder why they don’t make more films like this. It’s pacing could have been cleaned up a bit as it seems to drag about. Overall however this is a funny, touching film that shows that age is simply a number someone has to deal with rather then a commentary on anything relevant in most areas of a persons life. Blythe Danner project this in illuminating fashion as someone in her golden years, but not quite ready to call it a quits on living.

Our Grade: B+, An awakening turn from it’s mostly sexagenarian cast is proof that it shouldn’t matter what your age is, so long as you have the chops to help tell a good story. Shoutout to the always awesome Sam Elliott who rocks a majestic stache and shows Danner’s Carol love in your 60’s is possible. I’m going to give this one a recommendation for sure.