March 25, 2024
FILM: GOLDEN YEARS
DIRECTED BY: BARBARA KULCSAR
STARRING: ESTHER GEMSCH, STEVEN KURT, UELI JAGGI
RATING: 3 ½ stars out of 4
By Dan Pal
Ok, this film is for those of you around retirement age. Quite frankly, it’s a film anyone to see that is entering that third act of life. We all prepare for adulthood during our first act. We engage with careers, relationships, goals, and disappointments in our second act. However, there’s little guidance given (except for MAYBE some financial advice) on how to handle life after retirement. The fact is that people are living longer and need to find a purpose in this latter period. That is, in essence, what Golden Years, explores.
The Swiss film comes from director Barbara Kulscsar and it features a wonderful ensemble of actors portraying characters at crossroads in their lives. At the center are Alice (Esther Gemsch) and Peter (Stefan Kurt.) He has just retired after 37 years at one company. Now, home with his wife Alice, the strain in the relationship has become more pronounced. The death of Alice’s friend Magalie becomes a wake up call for the couple, but most especially for Alice. They decide to go on a Mediterranean cruise but their interests once on board vary wildly. He is exploring veganism, biking, and not drinking. She wants adventure and some sexual experiences. They also bring along Magalie’s widower Heinz who proves to be a great companion for Peter, leaving Alice to fend for herself. As such, she embarks on her own path to self-discovery leading to a number of significant personal excursions.
Even with one death, a few panic attacks, and the revelation of secrets, the film is a delight from start to finish. The tone never gets too heavy or somber. Whimsical music is often present and there are plenty of humorous moments as the characters discover different parts of themselves and others. It’s fun to watch them have a new lease on life.
The film suggests there are a lot of possibilities for one’s latter years. The old model might have suggested that people quietly deal with their remaining years, live a low-key life, and forget about searching for new adventures. Here, characters are given a chance to explore what interests them at this point in their lives. The film also explores the value in re-defining what relationships can be. Perhaps they don’t have to involve traditional connections with others. Maybe everyone just needs to help each other live their lives the way they want. All of this is touched on with a lot of insight and originality.
Golden Years is available for rental on Amazon Prime and other streaming sites. It is a film for adults dealing with adult issues in a very open-minded and fresh way. Seek it out!
FILM: GOLDEN YEARS
DIRECTED BY: BARBARA KULCSAR
STARRING: ESTHER GEMSCH, STEVEN KURT, UELI JAGGI
RATING: 3 ½ stars out of 4
By Dan Pal
Ok, this film is for those of you around retirement age. Quite frankly, it’s a film anyone to see that is entering that third act of life. We all prepare for adulthood during our first act. We engage with careers, relationships, goals, and disappointments in our second act. However, there’s little guidance given (except for MAYBE some financial advice) on how to handle life after retirement. The fact is that people are living longer and need to find a purpose in this latter period. That is, in essence, what Golden Years, explores.
The Swiss film comes from director Barbara Kulscsar and it features a wonderful ensemble of actors portraying characters at crossroads in their lives. At the center are Alice (Esther Gemsch) and Peter (Stefan Kurt.) He has just retired after 37 years at one company. Now, home with his wife Alice, the strain in the relationship has become more pronounced. The death of Alice’s friend Magalie becomes a wake up call for the couple, but most especially for Alice. They decide to go on a Mediterranean cruise but their interests once on board vary wildly. He is exploring veganism, biking, and not drinking. She wants adventure and some sexual experiences. They also bring along Magalie’s widower Heinz who proves to be a great companion for Peter, leaving Alice to fend for herself. As such, she embarks on her own path to self-discovery leading to a number of significant personal excursions.
Even with one death, a few panic attacks, and the revelation of secrets, the film is a delight from start to finish. The tone never gets too heavy or somber. Whimsical music is often present and there are plenty of humorous moments as the characters discover different parts of themselves and others. It’s fun to watch them have a new lease on life.
The film suggests there are a lot of possibilities for one’s latter years. The old model might have suggested that people quietly deal with their remaining years, live a low-key life, and forget about searching for new adventures. Here, characters are given a chance to explore what interests them at this point in their lives. The film also explores the value in re-defining what relationships can be. Perhaps they don’t have to involve traditional connections with others. Maybe everyone just needs to help each other live their lives the way they want. All of this is touched on with a lot of insight and originality.
Golden Years is available for rental on Amazon Prime and other streaming sites. It is a film for adults dealing with adult issues in a very open-minded and fresh way. Seek it out!