“The Age of Adalin” is the story of an American woman who was born in 1908 and by the will of fate found eternal youth. Epochs changed each other, fashion changed, old friends left, and Adalin, like an eternal exile, lived on the periphery of events, jealously keeping her secret. Eternal youth is the dream of many women, and what to hide, and men too, contrary to all expectations, not a generous gift, but a heavy burden. Everything in life must go its own way, and if for some reason the mechanism breaks down, then such a “new” life causes nothing but suffering. A similar theme was raised by David Fincher in The Mysterious Story of Benjamin Button, but in Adalin, unlike the Finchero film, the drama is almost absent, giving way to a gentle, leisurely melodramatic story. The theme of eternal youth as an eternal curse remains behind the scenes, and if at the beginning of the film the viewer falls for the bait in the form of a retrospective of the age of Adalin and FBI agents pursuing a woman, then in its middle the film becomes a tug of romantic history, beautifully framed by the views of San Francisco. Beauty is the key word in the description of this film, each frame of which is artistically verified, lovingly filmed and presented to the viewer with caution - so show fragile things that need to be treated with care. And a little pity that the film lacks a dramatic note, which would add him charm, and as a result, the audience interest.
It is not known what the film would have been like had Natalie Portman been in the lead role, perhaps it would have been a different story, darker and deeper, and Catherine Heigl, who was also considered for the role of Adalin, would have made the heroine more down to earth. Blake Lively, the star of the series “Gossip Girl”, better known for her impeccable taste, which elevated her to the status of a style icon than for her impeccable acting, was ideal for embodying the image of the main character in a foggy cashmere melodrama. Her Adalin successfully combines aristocracy and modernity, pragmaticity and stingy impulses of love. And what a sin to hide, on the sharpened figure Blake delightfully sit evening dresses. Those who bought the name Harrison Ford will be disappointed. Mr. Ford is present more “for weight”, but in fairness, it is worth noting that the role, prepared for the actor, does not imply anything special in terms of the game.
The film “Age of Adalin” by young director Lee Toland Krieger is designed for a female audience – a slowly told love story, picturesque landscapes, interspersed with nostalgic documentary footage, a pleasant musical background, soft tones and retro-chic. As a thrill lover, I would put a stop five minutes earlier in the place of the director, such a conclusion of the story, in my opinion, is more logical and justified.
Overall, Age of Adalin is a nice, enjoyable film that I don’t think will be in my collection, but one that graced my evening after a hard, read, day at work.
Let's start from afar. Perhaps many of you have discussed with your friends what kind of superpower you would like to have. Someone would like to fly, someone would like to teleport or be super strong. But hardly anyone voluntarily subscribed to immortality. The answer to the question “why?” is obvious. This is the problem that this picture presents.
The topic is not new, many films have already told about such a “phenomenon”, when people stopped aging or somehow unnatural ways received such a “gift” as immortality. But, despite the fact that the topic is not new, it is not too outdated, and this is an obvious plus. What I like is that they try to look at it from different angles and it translates into different stories and genres.
Specifically, the movie. When I saw the trailer, I expected more. The plot has no piquant twists and climaxes in general. It's developing quite linearly. The character of the main character is poorly disclosed, very little is said about her past, which is saddening, because we present her as an amazing girl who knows a lot. Adain, during the film, makes a couple of references to certain historical events and historical figures, but this is not outlined and not disclosed, but it is a pity, I would like to see under what circumstances she encountered them.
Plus, in my opinion, the actress Blake Lovely, known to everyone for the role Sirena Van Der Woodsen from the TV series Gossip Girl, in this role Adalin Bowman is not much different from the scandalous party, except that the outfits have become more modest.
In general, the film is more for viewing at home than for the theater (save money, and wait for the release of the film on DVD). It is not overloaded with details, so, in principle, it looks quite easy. Despite the fact that he did not live up to my expectations, the impression is still more positive than negative. The film has its own atmosphere.
It's been a long time since I've been so impressed with melodrama! The last opuses are removed as if under a blueprint and are not able to show us anything. And it's quite another thing, Age of Adalin. This film approached our screens relatively quietly, and the stronger the effect. By modern standards, it can hardly be called expensive. The producers allocated a relatively small amount of $ 25 million for it, although this was quite enough for such recognized stars as the charismatic Blake Lively and the unsurpassed Harrison Ford to shine in the cast. Judging by what we see on the screen, all the money up to a penny was spent on business and nothing went into void. “The Age of Adalin” turned out to be an epic parable, whose action permeates the whole century. And for this it was necessary to properly work out the surroundings and fill the streets with antique cars, sew a lot of costumes and furnish the houses with authentic accessories that are inherent in the middle of the 20th century. And with all that, the painting has no problem. I would even like to say that the creators of the film lost their nose to many of their colleagues who operated with much larger sums and were able to show the retro era as it should be. At least “Age of Adalin” looks much more authentic than the same “First Avenger” or “X-Men: First Class”.
Great technical side, that’s good. And the original and brilliantly embodied drama is even better. “The Age of Adalin” is advantageous in that you believe in the sincerity of the feelings of its heroes and do not doubt for a moment. Watching this wonderful movie imbued with what is happening so much that it seems as if you yourself get on the screen and take a direct part in the fate of the heroine Blake Lively. The film has a very strong connection with the audience, and it envelops you from the first minutes and does not let go right to the end. The main events take place in our time, which contributes to the contact of the plot and the audience, which makes it much easier to perceive the story. In particular, it becomes interesting when Adalin meets Cassie and their romance twists to the full program. You want to make sure that the young people (or the young ones) do it, and they find each other, forgetting about all the adversity. However, the path to happiness is always thorny, and The Age of Adalin illustrates this in all its glory. At some points, the tension reaches its climax and it seems that nothing good will happen. And when you have already mentally prepared for the fact that the plot will overwhelm the impenetrable darkness, the situation unfolds 180 degrees and love demolishes all obstacles in its path, which can not but rejoice. In places in the “Age of Adalin” there are certain stereotypes of the genre, which even a fairy tale does not hide. This, of course, dulls the perception a little, although not as much as it might seem. In fact, the melodrama is not going to destroy the canons of the genre and make a revolution. Simply, Lee Toland Krieger managed to show the love story from a much more beautiful, refined side than his colleagues. And that alone is enough to appreciate his efforts.
As a result, I can say that the Age of Adalin is a gift for viewers of all ages and preferences. It has a lot of pleasant surprises that are evenly scattered throughout the timekeeping and just waiting for us to open them. And you should not delay watching, because some films are worth watching as soon as possible, so as not to miss the real event and be, as they say, in the topic.
What could be more beautiful than true love between a man and a woman? This bright feeling is able to tear down any obstacles on its way and at the same time build something beautiful, sublime and unique. Through love, families are created, various discoveries are made. Of course, love can cause many misfortunes and serve as a catalyst for powerful destruction, but personally I perceive this heart fervor as the highest blessing for each person and sincerely hope that sooner or later everyone will find their soul mate, thereby finding the meaning of life. I can watch movies of a romantic mood endlessly and I can say that I am an expert in this field. Lately, there have been many different melodramas, each of which is good in its own way, but none of them compare with the stunning “Age of Adalin”. This film was created exclusively for the latest romantics and gradually penetrates into the very soul. I don’t know how the creators of the film managed to convey all the experiences, joys and other strong emotions of the girl’s soul so accurately, but it turned out to be just flawless. But at first it seemed that “Age of Adalin” would be such-and-such an optional entertainment with elements of fiction. And that's a big misconception! Lee Toland Krieger's film is much more complex and may not be understood at first. This will be a great way to read it again.
The story described in the film starts back in 1908, when our inimitable heroine was born. Adalin grew up to be the most ordinary girl, and nothing in her would suggest that she would become one of the most prominent personalities of the twentieth century. The heroine grew up and started a family. She had a daughter, and her husband had no soul in her. It seemed that nothing else and would not wish, but like a thunder from a clear sky, the heroine descended either disaster or blessing. Because of an accident, she got into a terrible accident, and came out of it as an immortal being. No, no, outwardly Adalin did not change at all, but internally gained invulnerability. And that means she can now go through many lives and see things she never dreamed of. The price for such unexpected abilities is a frightening opportunity to see the death of loved ones who remained prone to aging. However, all bad things end sooner or later, and the story of Adalin is no exception. One day she meets the love of her life and is ready to give up immortality for her sake. But will the girl decide on such a desperate act and not disappoint her expectations new lover? I'll keep quiet about that.
“The Age of Adalin” turned out to be a surprisingly majestic film that touches on many historical changes and looks like a monumental creation, striking with its epicity within the framework of the fate of a single person. The director managed to show a real storm of various emotions and experiences with the help of Adalin, but at the same time tried to do everything possible so that his film did not overwhelm the audience with frowning reflections and unnecessary dramatic experiences. “Age of Adalin” tries first of all to be a life-affirming canvas that pushes viewers to new achievements and reminds that it is never too late to dream. Yes, perhaps you are already adults and think that you should not think about something unreal, ephemeral. But I hurry to stop you! Don’t ever believe that miracles exist. They may not be as obvious as in the movie, but they are. And while you can imagine the rainbow that shimmers in your heart, anything is possible!
These are the thoughts of watching this magnificent tape. “Age of Adalin” I now boldly attribute to the list of my favorite romantic melodramas. This movie surprises throughout the viewing and for a long time does not let go. Bravo, Lee Toland Krieger and thank you for letting me enjoy this story and believe that love can work miracles!
9 out of 10
After watching the trailer, deafening expectations about the film immediately disappeared from the face of my mind, and under the anthem of predictability I spent the entire session.
The eternal theme of life, aging, death is a triad that will not leave anyone indifferent, for everyone will touch. And the space for the flight of fantasy is as great as our vast cosmos. But apparently, the creators of the film decided to go on a trampled road of banalism and tastelessness.
In addition, the plot was painfully beaten and transparent! Well, why grab deep themes if you're going to show "vanilla, pop" love? If the main actors, except appearance, do not have elementary acting skills.
How old is the main character? Not 29 years, but 106 years! And age is manifested not so much in appearance, but in a meaningful look, in wise eyes, a mysterious experience that will not hide any pretty face! But alas, Natalie Portman refused the role, so, dear viewers, you will have to see only the insensitive, make-up face of another actress.
The other actors also did not fail, and against their background, Adalin even stood out. It seems that degradation also has stages.
The film was frankly one big blunder. The motives of the main character seem to me extremely alien and sometimes limitlessly unreal. The creators obviously neglected the main trump card, and the behavior of 106-year-old Adalin fully corresponds to a 20-year-old girl who did not play love in carrots. I wanted to see mature relationships, the worldview of an adult woman who has lived more than a century in this world.
The only advantage of the picture was the stunning house of Alice’s parents with charming landscapes.
In general, the film seemed very simple and too easy, but maybe this is the attitude to approach it, and it will not disappoint.
Who wouldn’t want to live a long and beautiful life? Beautiful not in the sense of surrounded by beautiful things, expensive houses, cars, azure shores, but beautiful in the sense of externally remaining unchanged? That is, we are 27 years old and time has stopped, we do not age, we do not change. I think many would be willing to make a pact with the devil himself to stay young forever.
Adalyn Bowie did not conclude a contract, did not find the serum of youth, did not bathe in the waterfalls of eternity, she was “lucky” to be at such a point in time and space that Mother Nature did everything for her. For 80 years of his life, he remained unchanged. Places, people, events change, she runs, wanders, and her appearance remains the same. For 80 years, Adalin has been blooming without fading. She makes friends and admirers, whom she leaves every ten years, but first she blinds them with her kindness, tenderness, and of course appearance. Yes, so much that people until the end of their days are waiting for another meeting with her, but alas, only the will of chance can bring them together again.
Black Lively is the best fit for the role of Adalin. Her appearance, grace, modest smile, this is an accurate hit on the target. I've only seen one movie with her before, "Especially Dangerous." The film is great, but I didn’t like her role very much. Still, melodramas, languid glances, cute smiles, this is ideal for such a refined person as Black Lively, which of course can not be said about the militants.
The film is filled with endless immersions at the beginning of the last century, when Adalin was young. So we went to an unusual wedding in the early twenties, then we plunged into the 30s, followed by the 50s. And every decade of her life is transferred to the screen so clearly, vividly, that every detail corresponds to the style of that time. It was a real pleasure to look at interior objects, ladies' toilets, buildings and cars of that time.
Very beautifully presented touching moments when the viewer open the heart of Adaline and show how she suffered all these 80 years, why she ran away, how she hid. At some point, I was ready to cry with her. It is difficult to imagine a person more hopeless when life is filled with youth, strength, and you do not want to live, because it has lost its meaning along with the loss of loved ones who have already passed away, or with whom you can not often see because of your own safety.
If you highlight the special moments in this film, for me it's the episode where William Jones got to the bottom of it. It's a very emotional episode. I was able to feel every excitement, every heartbeat of William, in the hope that he was right, that everything was as he saw it, and that it was not a deception of the mind. This is a very exciting and emotional moment.
Undoubtedly, the film is beautiful, interesting and sometimes so sad that I want to cry. Hardly men will be able to enjoy watching, after all, melodramas are shot for women. But women will like this picture. After all, this is an amazing fairy tale about dreams of always being young, intertwined with love intrigues.
Fantastic melodrama “Age of Adalin” reminded me of the idea of the film “Man from Earth” and the series “Eternity”, and the style of storytelling – the film “Stardust”. The most similarities have arisen with “Man...”
Immediately I want to note that the slow pace of telling the story of the life of Adalyn Bowman is more suitable for home viewing by the fireplace than in the cinema, so if you are going to go to this film in the movies, it is advisable to bring friends or relatives with you.
A quick introduction to the story of the main character at the beginning of the film sets us up for dynamism, but then the script “slags” (well, or aligns – who how) and begins to drive the viewer to sleep.
Yes, the scope for “self-digging” in this case is very large, and such actions of the heroine have grounds, but personally I would like to see more flashbacks and analogies than “fitting” the fantastic narrative to the realism of modern reality and the problems of modern society.
“The Age of Adalin” can be safely called not fiction, but a fairy tale about a girl who runs from something all her life, and then decides to stop, relegating to the background the thought that she received a curse, not a gift.
The main characters do not cause rejection or hatred by their actions, but there is no one to mention except Lively and Ford (for those who are far over twenty - look at this man and feel old). The drama of Ellis’s situation on the part of Michael Haushman, it seems to me, was not conveyed enough, and Adalin’s ties with her daughter paid little attention.
I can’t call this film any outstanding, but it left a positive feeling, and that’s the main thing for the audience. Nice and watchable - nothing more.
Oh, happiness! How our lives are lacking in such quality movies!
How we missed beauty, purity, grace and nobility.
How happy is the absence of fashionable tricks, unnecessary and stupid plot twists.
How wonderful to watch a sincere, soulful, subtle film.
I will say right away – consumers of expensive but stupid movies and popcorn eaters are strictly forbidden to go to this film. Not to disturb the audience to enjoy.
And the film really turned out to be very good, calm and melodic. The unparalleled game of the main character, who just amazingly suited to this role and gave 100%, remarkable “sets”, thought out to the smallest detail of the scene and the integrity of the plot. The very theme of the film, which will be immediately told, already causes a lot of thoughts and is food for useful thoughts.
I highly recommend to go to the “Age of Adalin” for kind, gentle emotions, beauty and inspiration to appreciate your life, using every day noblely, and not as required by changeable fashion.
This movie will never be forgotten.
Unexpectedly wonderful picture still little-known director Lee Toland Krieger is unlikely to leave anyone indifferent.
Eternal youth. It would seem ... what could be more tempting? But the romantic characters of the film quickly turn us to another simple truth and once again remind us that there is nothing stronger and more important than Love.
“Age of Adalin” is difficult to attribute categorically to melodrama or especially to drama. This is just a very touching, beautiful picture, sometimes bordering on a fairy tale. Something remembered Wes Anderson with his photographic paintings, voice-over narrator, subtle acting.
Attracts the charismatic image of the main character created by Blake Lively. Charming, gentle, sweet young girl with the stamp of wisdom lived years. Will she find her happiness? Will she take such a brave step and let go of her past? Watch and enjoy.
One of the most fabulous melodramas of this spring, The Age of Adalin promises to plunge the viewer into the world of complete harmony and love. This is an incredibly kind, amazingly light and concise picture.
The film of the young director Lee Toland Krieger tells us the story of a girl Adalyn Bowman (Blake Lovely), who has been living in the world for about a hundred years, but at the same time, like Benjamin Baton, does not age, and certainly does not look at her age. Adalin lived an unusually long, beautiful life, saw the world from the point of view of different eras and times, traveled a lot and constantly learned something new, but she failed to fulfill the most important thing in her life - to find true love. A love that would help Adalin stop her eternal wandering around the planet; a love that would make her live a clean, fulfilling life and finally grow old.
Here, it would seem, is the main plot of the picture of the American director. Modest and no frills. It is the crazy harmony of this film that attracts the viewer. There is nothing superfluous here: a touching plot, supported by a magical background; well-chosen actors; graceful Blake Lovely against the backdrop of impressive views of San Francisco; the most brief, but at the same time filled with drama dialogues ... The list goes on and on. It seems that the director, during the filming of this picture, used a special cookbook, which spells out all the features of the right movie. The film is so impressive in its proportionality. Such a melodrama will appeal to even the most categorical and strict viewers who are in no hurry to waste their time on the product of the “love genre”.
The main ideological component of the film (and it, in fact, is clear from the description of the plot) is love, fundamentally, can change a person’s life. The theme is simple, clear, and most importantly always relevant, and directors tirelessly repeat it to us in their paintings to this day. This film is no exception.
Gift or curse? How does it feel to live forever? Unusual American film director Jim Jarmusch, in his latest film “Only Lovers Will Survive”, touched upon this topic, where immortality was terribly annoying, turning the once unsurpassed range of feelings into something remote, melancholy and dreary. Little-known director Lee Toland Krieger touched on the same topic, endowing his character Adaline Bowman with eternal youth, which was destined to suffer for many years because of its essence. Adalin, born on the first of January 1908, 27 years later is faced with an amazing and beyond the control of the human mind, she remains forever young.
The story of Adalin is very similar to that of Benjamin Button, because it is not easy for both of them to know all the charms of love, due to their uniqueness and inexorability of time. The ancient Greek philosopher Plato once said, “None of us has yet been born immortal, and if this had happened to anyone, he would not have been as happy as it seems to many.” It seems that Krieger sticks to this judgment, since his attractive heroine is bypassed by love. To live constantly, not to grow old, to discover new things, to conquer unknown horizons, sounds quite tempting, but what is the price of eternity? The story itself is incredible and fantastic, and the most amazing thing is that the director manages to present it in a completely different, more common sense, hiding behind superhuman, medical and scientific sayings.
Attractive actress Blake Lively, quite subtly relates to the nature and nature of her heroine, romanticizing her image. Despite the events experienced, Adalin remains indestructible, timeless, not only by his appearance, but also by the state of the soul, which is not easy to comprehend, behind seductive, intelligent and aristocratic features. Of course, the heroine herself is the highlight of the picture, which rests entirely on her, but the narrative also concerns other characters, one of which are Ellis and William, and the story gradually begins to take other turns, where the past and the present are surprisingly intertwined, making the audience empathize with both past and current events. The director initially has a pretty good trump card in his hand, which he uses as refined and beautifully as possible, allowing sentiments to slowly break into the sensual drama.
Had this story appeared 30-40 years ago, it would have had every chance to become a cult melodrama, inimitable in its style. Unfortunately, to succeed, both financially and in terms of awards, it is incredibly difficult for her, because the palette of emotions, charm and love, which reveal the characters of Lively, Haushman and Ford, in our time, is already becoming unresponsive, against the background of sublime patheticness, which is very regrettable. What attracts Krieger’s painting is the tenderness and subtlety of feelings, the immaculate, sincere perception of love and the touching heart drama. So how does it feel to live forever? Adalyn Bowman will tell you.
The film is reminiscent of an old hairpin, lavishly decorated with precious stones, worn from time to time, and so much meaning for its mistress.
It was an incredible experience, despite the fact that the film really hurt me. The director managed to recreate the stunning atmosphere, the feeling that the dust of the 20th century was flying in the air. I cannot help but mention the divine soundtrack performed by Del Rey.
Blake also played piercingly, the pain of the past, the loneliness of an adult woman who has not lost her charm and sophistication. What it is like to be a silent witness to the inexorability of time and look nostalgically to the future as well as to the past. She has so many regrets, but it's like all of us. How often do we waste years out of fear of starting a real life? But looking back, we understand that they were not empty.
You can live in different ways, chasing after sensations and having time to live with all your strength or just live and not be afraid that the clock is ticking. Do not be afraid of loneliness, but do not avoid love. Time fills everything: people with experience, things with history, and life with meaning.
Years, lovers and glasses of wine should not be counted.
Since there are no reviews for this film yet, I decided that it is necessary to immediately correct this situation, because the film is very worthy. The story of a woman who became hostage to an inexplicable phenomenon that gave her the opportunity to never grow old. It would seem that the dream of the vast majority of the beautiful half of humanity. No, it's not all that tempting and cloudless. And although the reflection in the mirror of Adalin does not change for years, she is doomed to live in constant flight, because sooner or later people begin to notice her incredible ability to look 20 at 40. And this is not the main thing, it is more terrible that all those who are close and dear to the heart live fully, grow up, age and die, and Adalin is destined to meet every New Year in the spiritual renunciation of any relationship with the outside world.
The first thing I would like to mention is, of course, Blake Lovely. Her Adaline is an incredibly sophisticated and elegant young woman whose hair, personally, I just stared at a good half of the film. The character came out extremely interesting and unobtrusive. I’m indifferent to Blake, but in this film she conquered me.
As for the main male role, it is a little short in my opinion. Mikhil Haushman I was unfamiliar, so his game was able to evaluate more objectively. To be honest, I didn’t get caught at all. I think the story would be even more moving if someone more charismatic were in his place.
In general, a very touching and sweet fairy tale came out, I did not regret that I went to this film proudly alone.
7 out of 10
In our country, this film was not much advertised, which I am very sorry, because many will miss to see such a beautiful and touching work. You don’t have to be an eminent and experienced director to create a film that gives pleasure and leaves a pleasant impression that will last for several days.
The plot is quite simple: young Adalin finds herself in an absolutely unprecedented situation - she stops aging. Yes, she can learn many languages, read all the books of mankind, meet the best people of the time, but she does not have stability and confidence in the future, although she certainly will. It’s nice to see the hero evolve and change thanks to one person in her life. But even more pleasant feelings from reflection: what would I do in her place?
The acting is beautiful. I think that many people are biased towards Blake Lively, she is very talented and in this film she is very good at attracting the attention of viewers to the story of Adalin. Also good is Michael Haushman's game, which I haven't seen before. Of course, we should not forget about such pleasant bonuses as Harrison Ford, Katie Baker and Ellen Burstyn.
If you love the beautiful cities of America, retrospective and romance, then you will definitely enjoy this picture. The film does not claim to be the best special effects or drama, the main thing here is the story of a woman who can not find herself.
10 out of 10
Tell me something I can hold on to forever and never let go.
- Let go.