I must thank Stacy Davies (University of California) who made a passing remark about Lovely Still on this blog. Otherwise I am not aware that this film is mentioned anywhere by anybody else in the literature about ageing and films.  It had never been released in the UK. I purchased the DVD when it was released  but, put off by the cheesy title, postponed my viewing. Finally between the Football World Cup and Wimbledon, I found time to view it with my husband.

It is a surprising film. We were both fascinated from the first shots to the last. We built expectations only to have them challenged.  It is a film that is best not commented on and needs to be experienced with no preconceptions. It also needs to be seen more than once.  All I would like to say about it is that both our heads were full of question marks throughout and that on occasion we voiced loudly our surprise and puzzlement. Martin Landau (aged 80), Ellen Burstyn (aged 76) give mesmerizing performances and the younger supporting actors Adam Scott and Elizabeth Banks are just as good. The cinematography adds a visual dimension to the subtle intriguing narration.

Do not be put off by the reviews. Although they do not give spoilers, they often misrepresent a deep and subtle film. SEE it.