More Movies With Elders

Marja-Leena Rathje alerted me to this story in the Guardian UK listing ten movies “Where the Old Do Not Go Quietly.” The reporter, who unfortunately uses the word “elderly” (which means frail) to mean elder, would have it that

“Hollywood seems to have forgotten elderly people exist, so here's a list of past celluloid moments in which the over-70s shine.”

We at Time Goes By, with our list of (so far) 86 ElderMovies, know that Hollywood has done better than we had imagined at portraying elders.

Several of the movies from the Guardian are already on the TGB ElderMovies List as are others suggested by readers in the Comments section. But we’ve somehow overlooked most of them. Here is a list of those – what do you think? Should we add them?

Seven Samurai for the old, village chief

Providence for John Gielgud’s performance

(Which reminds me of Ian McKellan in Gods and Monsters)

Rio Bravo for Walter Brennan

White Heat for Margaret Wycherly as Ma

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre for Walter Huston as Howard

Lee Strasberg as Hyman Roth in The Godfather – Part 2

Long Day’s Journey Into Night for Katharine Hepburn as Mary Tyrone

Make Way For Tomorrow

…and several more in the comments. Plus, a new film – Venus - with Peter O’Toole as an aging actor. (Susan of Takoma Gardener: are you ready for your next turn as the TGB film reviewer when Venus is released?)

Let us know what you think of these films. Unless there are reasons to reject them, I’ll add them soon to the ElderMovie List.

Comments

[susan harris]

When my assignment editor speaks, I high-tail it to the nearest multiplex. Venus it is!

[Ronni Bennett]

UPDATE: With apologies to whomever emailed me about the new Rocky film as a potential addition to our ElderMovie list (in my snit over email spam last week, I just deleted everything in my in box):

here's an interesting interview with Sylvester Stallone about ageism and his difficulty in getting funding to make Rocky VI.

Susan - you're on notice for another review.

[AlwaysQuestion]

I don't love the choice of Rio Bravo. Neither the Stumpy character nor the Bull character in the remake was particularly flattering to elders. I wasn't crazy about any of the stereotypes in that movie which is one reason I always liked El Dorado better.

[M Sinclair Stevens]

In what dictionary is "elderly" defined as "frail"? Mine (Websters New Collegiate) says, "of, or relating to, characteristics of later life; being past middle age". If they mean the same thing, why do we refer to those who are frail as a group distinct from those who are elderly? Is it wrong to identify the special needs of the 5% of people over 65 that caregivers refer to as the frail elderly? Can't we imply that 95% of the people over 65 aren't frail? And what then are the frailities of youth?

[Rain]

Your post today reminds me I have seen two more movies about elders. The first was 'Miracle at Sage Springs' and the two main characters, David Carradine and Wes Studi, were old men who gave wisdom to their families while they had a feud, relating to many years back, to resolve between them. It is low budget, independently made, family film and I liked it a lot. Then there was 'Simian Line' which has two ghosts (William Hurt was one) and three couples, at different ages and stages of their lives. The main female character is played by Lynn Redgrave, involved with a much younger man (Harry Connick Jr.) and fully looking her age which was probably 62 at the time the film was made. Tyne Daly, a psychic, also looking her age, had been a classmate of Redgrave's. It really showed a woman trying to come to grips with being her age, looking attractive but jealous of a younger woman (Cindy Crawford like who wouldn't be). Anyway really enjoyable dvd based in New Jersey.

[Ronni Bennett]

Thanks, Rain - those sound terrific.

[ml]

"Providence" and "Miracle at Sage Springs" aren't carried by Netflix. Is there something I'm missing when searching these titles?

[Ronni Bennett]

ML: I haven't checked out the availability of any of these films and not all movies on the ElderMovies list have been made available on DVD. Even if they are, there is no guarantee that Netflix carries them.

Ziv Schteinberg keeps list of eldermovies that can be found on DVD, although not necessarily on Netflix.

[Ziv S.]

Regarding those missing titles mentioned by ml:

1. Try searching for "Miracle at Sage Creek".

2. "Providence" has not been released in the US on DVD.

Other Alain Resnais films you could look into instead:

Night and Fog
Hiroshima Mon Amour
Last Year at Marienbad (this last one is a rare DVD. I remember seeing it was slated for re-release but couldn't find more info at this time. I hear it's beautiful!)

[la pergrina]

No, no, no, to Walter Brennan in Rio Bravo. He wasn't acting in Rio Bravo he was being himself. Watch him in Meet John Doe, Sergeant York, To Have And Have Not, and My Darling Clementine. You will see what I mean.

[veronica prior]

How about "Calendar Girls?"

[Elaine of Kalilily]

I emailed this to Ronni, but I'll mention it here: Mrs. Palfrey at the Clermont. Joan Plowright is sensational.

[jenclair]

I watched "An Unfinished Life" last night which left me feeling quite good. Redford and Morgan Freeman and Jennifer Lopez and wonderful scenery. Checked the Elder Movie List and it is, indeed, there. Now, I've got some more to add to my Netflix que, starting "Mrs. Palfrey at the Clermont."

[sarah abboud]

Mrs Palfrey at the Clermont is a wonderful movie - Joan Plowright is truly sensational and Rupert is a very sexy young man ! The rapport between them is a delight to see and the movie is very moving.
The other actors are excellent too - it is a documentary on growing older and what is important - people and relationships - and caring for each other regardless of age.

[Ashly]

Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts. It is always great pleasure to read your posts.