Baby Boomers such as myself grew up enjoying wonderful old road movies and buddy movies centered around trips of a lifetime. On a pure enjoyability level, this was a 10. It is a marvelous romp with old friends. I live in a senior city in Florida. The theater was packed for the "sneak preview" and everybody laughed throughout and cheered. It was definitely the right audience for the film.
The chemistry, banter and energy levels between the four friends through the all-too-real realities of life and death was amazing. The manner in which we insist upon our rituals and fall apart when they are upset was very well brought out in the Sally FIeld - Bob Balaban marriage without ever missing a pace in the rapid pacing. As a math guy, I loved how Sally FIeld's appreciation of football grew out of her proclivity for math. The Rita Moreno back story and her budding friendship with Glynn Turman fit into this like a hand into a glove. Jane Fonda's character was perfect for her in everyway and her ebullient and unapologetic manner set the tone for the hilarity.
Now we get to Lily Tomlin who was the glue for both the group and the film. Since the 1980's, she has always demonstrated an unusual flair for blending life's tragedy with the human comedy. She excels in it here especially when she balances putting foremost and in the present the "go-for-it" lark she initiates while putting off the realities of dealing with her medical issues and daughter Sara Gilbert (fine in a thankless but necessary role).
The episodic antics that are a part of every road movie were perfectly contextual and hilariously presented. The amazing gumption each of these four ladies regaled us with kept the fun going at a breakneck pace. Even the obligatory drug scene that seems to be inserted in EVERY movie with senior stars was made hilarious by Rita's antics and Tomlin's reality check. The dialog seemed very natural to me as I often observe the banter of ladies' foursomes and book clubs.
Speaking of Book Clubs, Jane had made The Book Club a couple of years ago and I had fun with it but the dialog there was strained and some of the cliches made it slog in patches - not so here at all. I cannot speak about what people under 60 will look for and find offensive or lacking in a rollicking road comedy starring great actors in their sunset years, Me, I've never enjoyed a harmless romp so much in my life.
The chemistry, banter and energy levels between the four friends through the all-too-real realities of life and death was amazing. The manner in which we insist upon our rituals and fall apart when they are upset was very well brought out in the Sally FIeld - Bob Balaban marriage without ever missing a pace in the rapid pacing. As a math guy, I loved how Sally FIeld's appreciation of football grew out of her proclivity for math. The Rita Moreno back story and her budding friendship with Glynn Turman fit into this like a hand into a glove. Jane Fonda's character was perfect for her in everyway and her ebullient and unapologetic manner set the tone for the hilarity.
Now we get to Lily Tomlin who was the glue for both the group and the film. Since the 1980's, she has always demonstrated an unusual flair for blending life's tragedy with the human comedy. She excels in it here especially when she balances putting foremost and in the present the "go-for-it" lark she initiates while putting off the realities of dealing with her medical issues and daughter Sara Gilbert (fine in a thankless but necessary role).
The episodic antics that are a part of every road movie were perfectly contextual and hilariously presented. The amazing gumption each of these four ladies regaled us with kept the fun going at a breakneck pace. Even the obligatory drug scene that seems to be inserted in EVERY movie with senior stars was made hilarious by Rita's antics and Tomlin's reality check. The dialog seemed very natural to me as I often observe the banter of ladies' foursomes and book clubs.
Speaking of Book Clubs, Jane had made The Book Club a couple of years ago and I had fun with it but the dialog there was strained and some of the cliches made it slog in patches - not so here at all. I cannot speak about what people under 60 will look for and find offensive or lacking in a rollicking road comedy starring great actors in their sunset years, Me, I've never enjoyed a harmless romp so much in my life.