"Inspirational" Film Recommendations for

November 13, 2008 9:56 AM

"Inspirational" movie recommendations for the over-50 set?

I, a 31 year-old with diverse interests including film, have been asked by a colleague/mentor to assist in putting together a film and discussion series targeted towards Elders. The film series will be part of a new group of initiatives and projects put forth by the local college here, aimed at infusing life into that population group.

The broad idea, well-expressed in the mission of the non-profit Encore.org, is that many in this near-or-post retirement age group are not only under-utilizing their own time and talent but that our culture is itself not taking advantage of the great wisdom, knowledge, and energy contained therein.

For the film series, we are looking for movies that embody and express this idea that the Second Half/Last Third of life can and should continue to be vibrant and vivifying not just for the individual but for the entire culture.

We hope to draw from a wide array of film types (i.e. Big Hollywood, independent docs, etc.) that share the common trait of serving as a great jumping off point for discussion of these issues, as well as being enjoyable and entertaining.

A couple of examples are Nobody’s Fool and Calendar Girls, but I'm hoping that AskMe can help with many more.

posted by Roach to society & culture (28 comments total)

Bucket List?
posted by zoomorphic at 10:03 AM on November 13, 2008

Second Hand Lions
Harold and Maud
posted by BoscosMom at 10:16 AM on November 13, 2008

Well don't show About Schmidt. It's about a retiree whose wife dies and whose daughter is about to be married. It's brilliant. It's relentlessly depressing, particularly if you're of a Certain Age.
posted by valkyryn at 10:17 AM on November 13, 2008

Being There
posted by Pollomacho at 10:33 AM on November 13, 2008

As an over-50, allow me to point out that there is no reason to confine your roster to films about "elders." Personally, I'm not going to think of myself as old until after I'm dead, tyvm. What is inspirational for 20-somethings will also be inspirational for 50-somethings. If you show your old folks a bunch of films about old folks, I think you'll just piss them off. Just my 2 cents (moderators, delete at will).
posted by bricoleur at 10:35 AM on November 13, 2008

There's a documentary about a choir of older men and women singers who cover rock songs. I'm not sure I know off hand the name, though.
posted by santojulieta at 10:35 AM on November 13, 2008

Life is Beautiful

I'd also second Harold & Maude...that's a fun one. :)
posted by MeetCleaverTheatre at 10:37 AM on November 13, 2008

Grumpy Old Men (spoliers)
posted by JimN2TAW at 10:38 AM on November 13, 2008

The Straight Story
posted by Maxwell_Smart at 10:40 AM on November 13, 2008

There are also 2 TV shows, both British, that may be useful.
Waiting for God and
As Time Goes By
posted by BoscosMom at 10:41 AM on November 13, 2008

Not so much a specific movie recommendation as an approach, but also think about featuring films that are not ostensibly about aging, but feature particularly fantastic/iconic performances by older actors or are the work of older directors.

Oh, and I have to defer to bigger film dorks than myself for suggestions, but I would think that featuring an actor who started his career late would be particularly neat.
posted by desuetude at 10:45 AM on November 13, 2008

Agreeing with bricoleur, completely. Also, people in our 50s are busting our asses, not under-utilizing our time, and thanks to the economy, not anywhere near retirement. I'd dare say the same could be said for 60s. Tip: Don't use "elder" for this group, ever.
posted by sageleaf at 10:47 AM on November 13, 2008

There's a documentary about a choir of older men and women singers who cover rock songs. I'm not sure I know off hand the name, though.

Young at Heart
posted by lullaby at 10:56 AM on November 13, 2008

I'm 45 in a few months and my partner is 54. Thanks for telling me I am approaching elderhood. I thought I was in my prime. Or maybe that's a secret that we shouldn't share with you youngies.
posted by chairish at 11:08 AM on November 13, 2008

Coccoon may or may not qualify depending on who you talk to.
posted by Burhanistan at 11:28 AM on November 13, 2008

I'm 47 with many friends over 50 and agree that there's no reason to limit your films to those featuring older people, especially because many of the films that are specifically about older people can seem patronizing, at least to me.

I saw Swades recently and found it very inspiring in a "I have to save the world!" way. The protagonist is probably supposed to be 30-something but the message is ageless and the film is sure to inspire discussion about culture, the "Third World," etc.

If you really want older protagonists, a lot of people like Schultze Gets the Blues, though it was too slow for me.
posted by PatoPata at 11:28 AM on November 13, 2008

Wow. I worded that question as carefully as I could and didn't expect it to be construed as offensive . My apologies if "Elders" is considered a disrespectful term. I was always taught that I was to "respect my Elders" and used it in that vein.

Further, the phrase "under-utilyzing" probably could have been phrased a little better, but again no disrespect is intended. Obviously our culture is full of people in there 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s who are doing incredible things with their time. Perhaps this film series is targeted in part at bringing people like these to the attention of others for whom retirement feels a bit "empty". Is it disrespectful to suggest that this might be the case for some people?

I'll stop moderating my own thread but I just wanted to clarify that there is no disrespect intended in this question or in the project itself.
posted by Roach at 11:33 AM on November 13, 2008

Logan's Run
posted by Midnight Rambler at 11:35 AM on November 13, 2008 [2 favorites]

Also, thanks to all suggesting that the films not be limited to those featuring older actors or being specifically about aging. I agree with you 100% which is why I tried to phrase the question in a way that was as thematically inclusive as possible.
posted by Roach at 11:40 AM on November 13, 2008

There's a documentary about a choir of older men and women singers who cover rock songs. I'm not sure I know off hand the name, though.

Young at Heart

Here's a trailer for Young at Heart. Looks fun.
posted by BoscosMom at 11:42 AM on November 13, 2008

Been Rich All My Life, a wonderful documentary about "The Silver Belles", elderly women who were dancers in Harlem back in the thirties and still get together to dance. Yes, this one is about older people, but that's not why I'm recommending it; these women are inspirational no matter how old you are.

And FUN. I want to hang around with them.
posted by OolooKitty at 12:02 PM on November 13, 2008 [1 favorite]

Whale Rider
posted by Restless Day at 12:05 PM on November 13, 2008

I am an 'elder' (by your standards) and I am inspired by (too many to mention) movies from the 60's or 70's. Ditto for music. Reminds me of how GREAT my generation was (and continues to be.)
Try showing early films by our now legendary directors. Then, sit back and do that slow clap thing.
posted by Pennyblack at 12:48 PM on November 13, 2008

World's Fastest Indian
posted by octothorpe at 1:00 PM on November 13, 2008

If you're specifically looking for films that deal with aging issues, then the Up Series might be worth a look. It doesn't deal with the elderly - yet - but every seven years they make a documentary about the same group of Brits, and you can watch them grow and change from the age of seven on. They just finished 49 and are definitely beginning to deal with some of the issues that you might be interested in addressing.
posted by Kiablokirk at 1:48 PM on November 13, 2008

After Life is a wonderfully inspirational 1998 film about coming to terms with death (and life), by Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-Eda. Here is Roger Ebert's review to give you a sense of it, though I encourage you if possible to just experience the film first rather than spoil it by reading too much about it first...
posted by fairmettle at 2:56 PM on November 13, 2008

Whale Rider is a great film for all ages. I highly recommend it.
Being There is very clever.
Winged Migration is also great, though not quite a true documentary.
posted by Ostara at 3:27 PM on November 13, 2008

Yes! Whale Rider!
posted by PatoPata at 6:02 PM on November 13, 2008