If you grew up during the
Golden Age of Hollywood
, you may have developed a lifelong passion for film. But as time marches
on, it may be harder to find a movie that interests you, much less to
recognize the young actors who star in it. Now that the days are getting
shorter and the temperatures are getting cooler, it’s the perfect time to
get into a COVID movie habit. October is National Movie Month, and thanks to
classic DVDs and streaming services like Netflix, it’s possible to enjoy a
virtually anytime you want (along with the great performances of legendary
like Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis and James Stewart). But if
you’re looking for a movie you haven’t already seen, the pickings might feel
slim-unless you’re a fan of
bone-chilling suspense
,
Marvel Comics
or
films
that feature characters young enough to be your grandchildren!
A recent study by the University of Southern California’s Media, Diversity and
Social Change initiative found that only 12% of the 25 Best Picture nominees
for 2014-2016
featured characters older than 60
-and only three of them were integral to the plot. Worse, 40% of those
characters were the butt of ageist comments.
It’s that lack of representation that spurred the American Association of
Retired Persons (AARP) to establish its
Movies for Grownups Awards
nearly 20 years ago. They recognize films featuring characters who are 50 or
older and the
actors who portray them
.
Fortunately, the evidence of older people in film extends beyond the annual
award-winners. Contemporary Hollywood seems to be getting the message that
there’s a market
for films that feature, even highlight, older performers-as well as plenty of
terrific actors that fit that bill.
Ordinary Love
, which had a limited release earlier this year, stars Liam Neeson, 68, and
Lesley Manville, 64, as a long-married couple dealing with her breast cancer
treatment.
Book Club
(2018) featured a cast of familiar actresses-Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice
Bergman and Mary Steenburgen-who ranged in age from 67 to 83 and actors,
including Richard Dreyfuss, aged 69 to 75. And last year’s
Downtown Abbey
film featured the estimable Dame Maggie Smith, 85.
