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Key points
- With age comes a broader view of life, permitting us to better understand what truly matters.
- Hollywood often teaches us how love can deepen over time, offering us profound lifelong connections as we age.
- Older age can be a place of profound beauty, wisdom, and liberation.
When you really think about it, aging is a privilege. We should be as thrilled to celebrate every birthday past age 55 as we were at age 5 — maybe even celebrate longer and harder, because each new year can reveal even more of the hidden treasures of our golden years. It’s often easier (and more fun) to look at Hollywood portrayals to remind us of how sweet life can be as we age, and how what we learn along the way is pure gold.
In Disney Pixar’s movie Up (2009), we see how relationships deepen and evolve as we age. The film opens with a montage of Carl and Ellie's life together, showcasing the ups and downs of a decades-long marriage. Using few words, it speaks volumes about the richness of shared experiences and the profound connection that grows over time.
As the story progresses, we see how Carl's love for Ellie continues to shape his life even after her passing, when he pairs up with Russell. It becomes a testament to the capacity for growth and new connections in our later years. Up reminds us that the sweetness of aging lies in the depth of our relationships and the way they continue to influence us throughout our lives.
2011’s British comedy-drama The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel embraces new beginnings. Its premise follows a group of retirees who move to India, seeking a fresh start in their golden years. We recognize ourselves in some of them as the story illustrates that it's never too late for new adventures, self-discovery, and even romance.
Judi Dench's character, Evelyn, embodies the idea that aging can bring a liberating sense of self. Freed from societal expectations and family obligations, she finds a new purpose and independence. Instead of being the older “invisible” lady she was back in the U.K., she finds purpose in sharing her wisdom in an entirely new setting with generations who need her approach to kindness and personal service.
The diverse cast of characters shows different approaches to aging, from embracing change to struggling with it, ultimately highlighting the importance of adaptability and openness in finding joy in later life. One character’s whose romance was left unresolved finds closure when he not only finds his long, lost love, but the friend's life ends during his visit.
About Schmidt (2002) has Jack Nicholson delivering a masterful performance as Warren Schmidt, a recently retired insurance actuary grappling with his own mortality and life's purpose. The film explores a bittersweet look at aging, focusing on Schmidt's journey of self-discovery after retirement and the loss of his spouse. What makes the movie particularly poignant is its focus on finding meaning in life's small moments. Schmidt's cross-country journey in his RV has his learning to appreciate simple pleasures and finding purpose in unexpected places, such as sponsoring a child in Africa.
All three of these films remind us that the sweetness of aging often lies in shifting our perspective — about learning to value the small things we may have overlooked in previous decades: a beautiful sunset, a kind gesture, or the ability to make a difference in someone's life, no matter how small. Films like these collectively paint a picture of aging not as a decline, but as a unique phase of life rich with opportunities for love, growth, and self-discovery.
