Seniors John and Ella Spenser take off on a road trip of a lifetime as a “last hurrah” adventure.
John is suffering from dementia and early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Ella is battling recurrent cancer. Betting that John still is a capable driver and that Ella can stave off the cancer assault, they “borrow” the ancient family Winnebago named “Leisure Seeker.”
They leave Boston and head south. Their destination is Hemingway’s home site in Key West, Florida.
Road trip incidents like a flat tire haunt them, but they persevere. Fellow travelers at camp sites broaden the experience, but the script misses opportunities to inject more characters. Ella’s standoff with road-side robbers is a great scene.
John and Ella grow closer together as the trip continues. Their physically intimate scenes tumble. Be prepared for an unusual ending.
Helen Mirren, Ella, is in a class by herself. A multiple award-winning actress, Mirren is convincing in every category. Southerland who plays the forgetful husband is no slouch either.
Given the feisty golden ager theme, this comedy-drama is a sure winner for Villagers. It gets a rare Must See Grade A recommendation. “Leisure Seeker” is currently playing at the Rialto Theater in The Villages.
Villager Jack Petro reviews movies for Villages-News.com