Must-See Movies about the Reality of Aging

Seniors Channel Surfing I’m going to play Roger Ebert for a moment here: before the summer’s end, I highly recommend adding Gran Torino to your Netflix queue and visiting your local video store to rent or buy Up on November 10th. Both are unique, poignant stories woven with intense themes, meaningful symbolism and powerful lessons about the human spirit. Creative and well-told, the two films feature brilliant characters in their golden years – which almost always guarantees a spot on Michelle Seitzer’s DVD library shelves.

You are likely to need Kleenex (and perhaps a large box of M&Ms or whatever your typical movie comfort food may be) for both films; however, what I love so much about these pieces is how realistic the portrayals of their aging protagonists are. Sure, a movie’s a movie and there will be the occasional “suspension of disbelief” at times throughout the two films, but overall, the lives of two elderly men are presented with little to no sugar coating (hence the need for hankies and chocolate).

Despite the bittersweet and at times downright depressing tones, the audience must take away this one very important lesson underscoring both films: being old and alone doesn’t render you immediately incompetent.

Another important theme: rituals & routines, traditions & tendencies are extremely vital in elder’s lives. As they experience the significant personal and physical losses associated with aging and the dizzying pace of “progress,” daily habits and preferences (i.e. reading the paper, getting a hot shave at the barber shop, weeding the garden) are often the means by which elders feel that they are maintaining independence and dignity in a world that is changing in ways they cannot control. This tension is explored on many levels, and with great sensitivity and honesty, in Gran Torino and Up.

Finally (although there is so much that can be said), the films also share a beautiful portrayal of the many mutual benefits of intergenerational relationships, transmitting some much-needed light and humor to the screen.

I applaud the movies’ creators for sharing the Walt Kowalskis and Carl Fredericksens of the world with us, and I hope that audiences across the world will become more sensitive to their existence.