SPECIAL FROM 
I’ll See You in My Dreams (2015)
Starring: Blythe Danner, Sam Elliott, Martin Starr
Though she’s chalked up multiple Tonys and Emmys during her five decades on stage and screen, 72-year-old Danner (a.k.a. Gwyneth Paltrow’s mom) hasn’t had the chance to lead a film. That changed earlier this year, when she received rave reviews forDreams, a sweet, late-in-life love story about a widow cast adrift after the death of her beloved dog. Elliott—still sexy at 70—plays her mustachioed suitor, while Rhea Perlman, June Squibb, and Mary Kay Place co-star as her raucous card-playing buddies. The whole thing just works, in large part because Danner shines while remaining relatable.
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Danny Collins (2015)
Starring: Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Jennifer Garner
Pacino is the best he’s been in years as Collins, a Rod Stewart-like singer whose reckless lifestyle and paycheck-oriented career are thrown into chaos after receiving a 40-year-old letter of admiration from John Lennon. Given new purpose, he checks into a New Jersey hotel, starts writing fresh music, and seeks to make amends with heretofore-ignored family members. It could have been pretty cheesy, but Pacino’s charm and a solid supporting cast—including Bening as his hotel-managing love interest, Garner as his wary daughter-in-law, Christopher Plummer as his stalwart manager, and Bobby Cannavale as the son he’s never met—make Danny Collins a worthy rental.
5 Flights Up (2015)
Starring: Diane Keaton, Morgan Freeman
Compared by critics to an intimate stage play, 5 Flights Up is a charming little confection about Alex and Ruth, a married couple who must sell their Brooklyn apartment when the stairs (guess how many flights?) become too much of an obstacle. Freeman and Keaton are effortlessly great as the long-time lovers, navigating their venture into real estate—and approaching golden years—with grace and affection. All in all, it’s a sweet pleasure to take in with a partner, as well as a perfect jumping-off point for a few conversations of your own.
Philomena (2013)
Starring: Judi Dench, Steve Coogan
Based on a real story, this little-seen British film was a 2014 Academy Award Best Picture nominee, thanks to a fine script and excellent work by Dench. She plays Philomena Lee, an Irish Catholic woman who, after becoming pregnant as a teen decades earlier, was sent to the notorious Sean Ross Abbey, where ethically compromised nuns (to put it nicely) sold her son into adoption. A real pick-me-up, right? Well, don't worry.Philomena’s central tragedy is addressed with warmth and sensitivity, while Dench and Coogan’s easy rapport lighten what could have been a very heavy movie. Bonus: Even those with a lifelong fear of nuns will be pleasantly surprised at how questions of the spirit are handled, as Lee’s deep reservoir of faith guides her actions and tempers her reactions.
Quartet (2012)
Starring: Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Billy Connolly
If you loved The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, you’ll love Quartet, the Dustin Hoffman-directed story of a retirement home for British musicians, which came out just a year later. Plot-wise, it doesn’t boast many surprises, but with pretty production values and an appealing cast headed by the always-excellent Maggie Smith, it makes for a pleasant—and even occasionally inspiring—night. Opera and classical music lovers will especially love the concert scenes, while casual viewers will be enchanted by sitting back and watching the pros work. Scotsman Connolly, in particular, is a rip.
Amour (2012)
Starring: Emmanuelle Riva, Jean-Louis Trintignant
A French-language movie, directed by an Australian, exploring the incapacitating illness and certain death of a lovely, 80-something woman? Amour is all of that, yes. But bear with us before skipping to the next slide, because Michael Haneke’s quiet, unflinching movie—one of the most acclaimed films of 2012—is also a love story, a paean to marriage and enduring devotion.
The plot is simple: Anne (Riva) has a debilitating stroke. Husband Georges (Trintignant) must care for her until it becomes apparent he can no longer handle it. Then, he has to make a life-altering decision. If you’ve ever seen a spouse or beloved family member fade away, you’ll relate to the clear-eyed look at decline, and marvel at the powerful performances. Riva became the oldest Oscar nominee for acting, ever, for her portrayal of Anne.
Love is Strange (2014)
Starring: John Lithgow, Alfred Molina, Marisa Tomei
You may not have known you wanted to see Lithgow and Molina play a stable same-sex couple, but after a few minutes in their loving company, you’ll wonder why the 60-something men didn’t pair off sooner. Their relationship—and the situation that conspires to keep them apart—is at the heart of this introspective, kind film.
To summarize: When George (Molina) loses his job following his marriage to Ben (Lithgow), the men must give up their apartment and move in with separate families, who deal with the imposition in varying ways. Does the couple ever live together again? How long is too long to have a houseguest, no matter how charming? Will valuable lessons be learned by all? Tune in and find out. You won’t be sorry.
Nebraska (2013)
Starring: Bruce Dern, Will Forte
In an era when it seems like every movie takes place in New York or Los Angeles—or space—a finely observed Midwest dramedy is dang near revolutionary. InNebraska, Woody Grant (Dern) is a crotchety, aging alcoholic who believes he’s won $1 million as part of a sweepstakes. David (Forte) is his grown, semi-aimless son, who grudgingly ferries him from Montana to the Cornhusker State to claim his winnings. Along the way, they … well, not grow closer, exactly … but they do end up with a better understanding of each other.
Come for the personal moments and true-to-life observations from director Alexander Payne, himself from Omaha. Stay for Dern, Forte, and octogenarian firebrand June Squibb, who gets all the best lines as Woody’s hilariously foul-mouthed wife, Kate.
Hope Springs (2012)
Starring: Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carell
Kay (Streep) and Arnold (Jones) are bored empty nesters whose physical spark has long since left the building. In an effort to salvage their floundering union, Kay signs them up for a week of counseling with Dr. Bernie Feld (Carell), a famous sex therapist. Arnold is reluctant, but plays along, until difficulties spring up. Or do they?
Smart and pleasingly cheeky,Hope Springs goes where few modern movies dare to go: into the ripe, ribald realm of senior sex. The three leads are great (you expected different?), and mature audiences will welcome a romantic comedy finally aimed towards them. Don’t forget the popcorn.
Love & Mercy (2015)
Starring: Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, John Cusack
Still in theaters at the time of this publishing (August 8), this biography of Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson is a nuanced look at the relationship between genius and madness, as well as the folks looking to exploit them. Dano plays young, Pet Sounds-era Wilson, a successful musician suffering a slow breakdown while making one of the greatest pop albums of all time. Cusack plays 1980s Wilson, ravaged by drugs and mental illness. Both are wonderful, as are Elizabeth Banks as love interest Melinda Ledbetter and Paul Giamatti as infamous psychotherapist, Dr. Eugene Landy. Absolutely worth a watch, and the soundtrack doesn’t hurt either.
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