Happy New Year Midlife Sojourners!!!
I saw a truly enjoyable movie yesterday about adult romance.
“Dan in Real Life” is a newspaper columnist whose wife died 4 years ago (funny how the movies generally won’t deal with DIVORCE, no wonder we feel a sense of shame about it at times!). He provides relationship advice through his column, but can’t seem to get along well with his 3 daughters in real life.
They take off for a trip to the grandparents’ house for a vacation with all the relatives. Granted, the extended family portrayed here cannot be typical in anyway shape or form. They are constantly doing things like playing games, putting on talent shows and exercising in large groups. HURRAY for HOLLYWOOD!!!
But I found the developing romance between Dan and his brother’s new girlfriend very interesting. It is so rare that we see older adults falling in love in movies.
The scene where they meet for the first time in a bookstore is a bit contrived, but I found their first conversation to be honest and realistic. Even the fact that Dan nervously talks too much and therefore doesn’t find out that this new woman he’s met has a boyfriend seems realistic.
I won’t tell you anymore of the plot, suffice to say it has some great comic moments as well a serious side to it, and yes it is a feel good movie for those in search of love later in life. It’s basically about following your heart against the odds and winning.
This is the first time I’ve really enjoyed Steve Carell in a movie. “The 40 Year Old Virgin” didn’t do much for me and I can’t stand the TV show “The Office.” Roger Ebert finds him to be a “very, very low-key version of Jack Lemmon.” All I know is that he is extremely funny in a few scenes with physical comedy here.
I’m just happy to see movies that portray mature romance in a fun and interesting way, even if it seems unrealistic at times. And I love those happy endings too!
Again, Hooray for Hollywood & plan on being surprised!
February 12, 2008 at 2:11 am
Here’s a mature confused adult romance for you, Queen.
I don’t blame my mid-life crisis on 9/11 even though the first plane flew over my head at 300 feet. The crisis came five months later when I walked into the love of my life who I lost 25 years before, not once but twice on the streets of New York City.
At the time I was happily and comfortably married, but over the next six months of chaste and proper coffee drinking with the love of my life, it became impossible not to tell the truth to one and join the other.
I am now the proud step dad of two teenagers and a dog and a cat who make me sneeze — the animals not the children.
You go Queen.
February 12, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Thanks for that great comment Philip, and right before Valentine’s Day! It was so great, I wrote a whole new blog about it! See: “A Second Chance at Love” for today (Feb. 12th). I also find your art fascinating and would love to review your book on my blog…when will it be out?
Cheers,
The Queen
February 12, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Thanks, Queen.
The book is in production now and should be out in about 8 weeks.
You will certainly have one of the first review copies.
Best regards,
Philip
February 12, 2008 at 9:41 pm
VERY COOL! I’m looking forward to it!
Please also think about guest blogging sometime on my page…Laura Lee