The Place For The Latest Movie Reviews
Cast: Martin Landau, Academy Award Winner Ellen Burstyn, Adam Scott, Elizabeth Banks
With the approach of Christmas causing him to feel lonely in life and love, Robert Malone (Academy Award Winner Martin Landau) braves the wintery snow to arrive home from his job at the grocery store only to find a stranger (Academy Award Winner Ellen Burstyn) standing in his home.
What begins as an odd and awkward encounter quickly blossoms into what appears to be a romantic late life love affair that takes us on a heartfelt and wonderful journey which takes an unexpected turn.
There are movies you go to see in theaters, you know of the mainstream type that you enjoy watching but they are soon gone from your memory after leaving the theater. Then there are the ones that leave a lasting impression for one reason or another and Lovely, Still is one of those movies. I was anxious to see this film for it's fantastic cast alone but hidden under the credits was something special I did not expect. The story centers on an older man, Robert Malone who always feels a little more down and lonely around Christmas time. What John doesn't know is that he has caught the eye of a woman who takes notice of him at his job at the grocery store. One night when Robert arrives home he finds the woman inside, shocked, angry and a bit confused he tells her to leave but she can't resist in asking him out to dinner. What happens from there is one of the sweetest fairy-tale love stories you will see on screen. As Robert and Mary begin to date they also fall deeper and deeper in love. The film is also and at times very funny, for example when Mary first asks Robert out he goes to work and asks everyone for advice, some give good pointers while others are laugh out loud funny suggestions. If this sounds like a straight forward love story to you then just wait till you hit the third act of the film when a major twist is tossed in and certain things you let pass during the first two acts now make a lot more sense. This is Writer/Director, Nicholas Fackler's debut film and I don't think he could of written and directed a better movie that will have you not only falling in love all over again watching this couple but it will have you at times laughing and at other times shedding a tear or two. The cast is remarkable, Ellen Burstyn is as terrific as always as Mary and Martin Landau's role as Robert is beyond words, he captivates the audience with the role of his career and that is saying a lot since this man has won an Academy Award. The supporting cast is fantastic as well including Adam Scott as Robert's boss and friend and Elizbeth Banks who play's Mary's daughter. I could go into their roles deeper but if I did it would ruin a truly magical experience of cinema brilliance. I was taken in by the love story and when the major twist came along I was knocked out, I rediscovered in 92 minutes the reason I fell in love with movies in the first place. From what I can tell the film is going to receive a theatrical release in some way and you can follow it's progress HERE. Lovely, Still is one of those movies that touches you in so many ways and leaves you thinking about it for days. If you get the chance to catch this in theaters do not pass up the opportunity. I can't recommend this film enough, Moving, lovely and captivating, Lovely, Still is all that and more. I wish I could tell you more about this great film but to do so would only ruin one of the best cinematic experiences you could have, just do not miss out seeing it.
Released by Monterey Media
***** Out Of *****