As a person over the age of 55, how often do you feel today’s movies are largely targeted to much younger people? How often do you leave a theater dissatisfied, asking yourself whether you will go to fewer movies in the future? Are you put off by films full of blood and guts violence, large helpings of foul language, candid sex scenes and a pace so rapid, your mind races to keep up?
Some older Americans say they are enjoying today’s movie fare less and less, and some have even stopped going to the movies altogether. Enter the Senior Cinema International Festival — a group which believes Hollywood should revisit its agenda, and perhaps start making movies which target older Americans. They recognize the ranks of people over 55 are growing steadily as the Baby Boomer generation reaches retirement age — and perhaps a different type of film might tap this hidden market. It might bring mature adults back into theater seats and also enhance the industry’s profits.
A heartwarming, low-key new film, Redwood Highway, is a bold step in that direction. It was made available at the Rialto Theater in The Villages on Thursday, prior to its national launch, and will be held over at least through Sunday, May 18, depending on demand.
Written by James Twyman and Gary Lundgren, it tells the story of a feisty 76-year-old woman who, estranged from her family and unhappy with life in her southern Oregon retirement community, decides to travel some 80 miles, alone and on foot, to the coast to be a surprise guest at her granddaughter’s wedding. The footage of wooded, rural scenery, all shot in Oregon, is relaxing and beautiful, and the filmmakers’ insights into the psyche of a woman of a certain age, are remarkable.
Because of a tragic event in her past, Marie Vaughan, played by two-time Academy Award nominee, Shirley Knight, had not revisited the ocean for over 45 years. Trauma has a way of stunting one’s growth and blunting one’s feelings. En route, Marie has the opportunity to prove to herself one is never too old for adventure. The star experiences personal growth as she confronts her demons and meets a ruggedly handsome, kind woodworker named Pete, played by Golden Globe nominee, Tom Skerritt.
At the 1:20 p.m. and 4:05 p.m. showings, writer and producer, James Twyman, greeted the audiences before the film, and a question and answer dialog afterwards. Twyman even played a cameo role in the film himself. Audience members reacted very positively to the movie and quite a number identified with the yearnings and frustrations of the film’s main character.
“I took my inspiration for this film, in part, from my grandmother and my mother,” Twyman said, “and also from The Exotic Marigold Hotel. I was just turning 50 a few years ago when I saw that film,” Twyman continued, “and I realized there aren’t enough movies out there that feature older people like myself and have a meaningful message. So many films seem to be made for teenagers.”
Moviegoers can take a cue from Twyman’s character, Marie, that despite physical wear-and-tear that comes with aging, one can push the envelope a bit and choose to believe age is only a number. There is hope in believing there can be so much more of life we can savor at any age if we just do it.
The online movie-review publication, examiner.com, gave this new film five stars — a pure joy to watch. It called it a feel-good movie, both heartwarming and courageous — “a warm, gentle, coming-of-age story…and yes, bring some tissues.” For Central Florida residents who would welcome a respite from gang, war and crime movies, Redwood Highway just might make your day.