Most women at the age of 30 today tried hard to stay 30. Even Madonna wants to look hip at her age. But it’s a pain for Adaline (Blake Lively) to stay young since 1900s to today. Her age stopped at 29 and she can’t get old. Well, woo hoo, what seems to be the problem?
When her child is 30 years old, people are starting to notice how they looked like sisters. When the police gets suspicious, Adaline started to runaway since. She moved and changed her identity for every period of time. She never wants her picture taken and avoid serious relationship with men. She seems to have her life all set up as Jenny, a library staff who lives with her puppy and befriends a blind woman. Then she meet Ellis (Michiel Huisman).
Ellis won’t settle down for her rejections, but with his sincere moves and Adaline’s daughter support, Adaline finally opens herself a little to him. They started a great relationship, though Adaline still have walls around her. It’s a smooth sailing until Ellis takes her to meet her parents. Ellis’ father, William (Harrison Ford) stunned when he saw Adaline, as he was involved with a serious relationship with her when he was young.
“Tell me something I can hold on to forever and never let go.”
Through Adaline we see how exhausting life could be running away from relationships and never be too comfortable in one place. The other side of being young and never worry to get old. How painful it must be leaving one nest to the other, breaking hearts without explanation because they will never understand your condition. Even you can’t understand why you can’t get old, you can’t find the logic explanation why from the books. Simple wishes like growing old together with the person you love feels like a wasted dream. If only Adaline hates commitment, it will surely be easier.
But with her condition, Adaline have all the time to learn, as she speaks many languages and knows historical events like a walking dictionary. She has a great fashion sense, though she choose to look classic still with her hairstyle and wardrobes. Even her apartment feels looked like it was decorated 70 years ago. It’s touching and sad to see she only connect with her adorable puppy.
As classic and old-soul Adaline is, Ellis is a refreshing addition to her world. A hunky young man who is rich because he has started his company when he’s younger, sounds so perfect. His contemporary apartment and hot-dog meal for their date was contrast to Adaline’s classic style. His casual and laid back personality is a perfect for Adaline.
I tried not to be too analysing to the science theory of why Adaline cannot aged, because I can’t even believe it’s happening. I also experienced this with The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, spent early minutes of the movie wondering why it could happen. It’s a movie, so it happens. Thanks to the well proportion of the narration, though sometimes it felt too much. Fortunately, it felt believable since the movie didn’t left out tiny details.
Interesting to see Blake in many ‘faces’ in each her period of life and time set. Her gorgeous looks surely won’t look bad in any style. I loved her transition and her acting was good as an old woman inside. I never see her as the lead in a movie and I always liked her as she radiates great inner beauty. You won’t get bored seeing her on screen. It’s possible now she’s more recognised more than just Ryan Reynold’s wife and a girl from Gossip Girl. Her chemistry also worked great with Harrison Ford as her old fling.
What made me loved Age of Adaline (2015) was it’s more than just about a girl who cannot get aged. It’s about facing future, taking leap and faith. As generic as it sounds, above it all it’s about confronting fears. It surely a romantic movie, and a beautiful one (not as cheesy as it might look). I didn’t expect to like it but I surely think it’s the first 2015 movie I really like.
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