The Age of Adaline (2015)

Not being able to die and having eternal life has its advantages, but it also has its downsides. You’ll see the people you love slowly ageing and there will come a moment when you decide to keep your secret from others. But enough talk about Highlander! The Age of Adaline uses the same concept, minus the sword fighting. The emphasis in this film is: romance.

Adaline (Blake Lively) is born at the beginning of the twentieth century. She grows normally, but while driving loses control of her car and ends up in the water. Due to special circumstances she survives, but from that moment on no longer ages. Hunted by the FBI, she decides to live a life in which she keeps her secret to herself (the only one who knows it is her daughter) and to stop letting love into her life. Yet the latter is something that she struggles with when she meets Ellis (Michiel Huisman). The question is whether she will still allow herself to open up, especially when her past suddenly catches up to her.

The Age of Adaline is a nice romantic movie, shot beautifully. Since the story takes place during the course of a century around San Francisco you see the city develop, including the construction of the Golden Gate bridge.

The concept of the film only works with a credible protagonist. In that sense Blake Lively certainly convinces. She does not only show life experience and knowledge, but also shows that her character is struggling with her situation, facing difficult choices. Her romance with Ellis will certainly make hearts beat faster (thanks to the charismatic appearance of Huisman). Harrison Ford also shows that he is still able to appear in convincing roles, in this case as the father of Ellis. The film speaks to the romantic in me, but it will not be appreciated by everyone. If you want more action then Highlander might be a better choice, if you want it more intellectual, it is worthwhile to check out The Man from Earth. But if you want to swoon for two hours, then The Age of Adaline might be a good choice.