Friday Features: 'The Age of Adaline' review

Hayden Pittman, WFAA Special Contributor 4:59 p.m. CDT April 24, 2015

Michiel Huisman and Blake Lively star in "The Age of Adaline."(Photo: Diyah Pera/Lionsgate Pictures)

"The Age of Adaline," starring Blake Lively, Michiel Huisman, Harrison Ford, and Ellen Burstyn, is a dramatic romance fantasy, oddly reminiscent of a Nicholas Spark film. It features an epic love story, multiple flashbacks, strong lead performances, and it has a quasi-magical twist, of sorts. While there are several peculiar and dubious elements, and there are likely more questions raised than answered, this film is clearly designed for and should be popular to a largely female audience.

In "The Age of Adaline," Lively plays Adaline Bowman, who early on in the story gets into a life-threatening car accident, which she survives, but with a catch: she loses the ability to age. As crazy as it sounds, the accident and a strike a lightning cause her to remain 29 years old for many decades, where she has a daughter, experiences life with a very special outlook, and attempts to keep her distance from those who may learn the truth about her. When she meets and begins to develop a strong relationship with Ellis Jones, played by Huisman, she begins to wonder if a normal life filled with love may actually be possible.

While the plot seems extremely questionable, there are many things to like about this film. Similar to many of the Nicholas Sparks' stories or films such as "The Woman in Gold" or "Saving Mr. Banks," "Age of Adaline" seems to use the technique of telling more than one story through flashbacks and cut away day-dreamlike sequences that the main character experiences. The timeline throughout the film doesn't always feel clear or complete, but it's fascinating to see how long Adaline lives and all she experiences. Her daughter eventually surpasses her in age, and there is a comical scene where Adaline and friends are playing a trivia game; interestingly enough, Adaline knows just about every answer because of everything she has seen in her lifetime.

Blake Lively gives a very strong performance as the main character, and while you can hear Michiel Huisman's true European accent slip through if you're listening for it, he otherwise plays a solid role. Their romantic relationship feels a bit off sometimes, but overall, the love story is what one would expect from a film like this cheesy and forced at times, but heartfelt nonetheless. There are a variety of recognizable supporting actors, such as Harrison Ford, who makes the most of his character, Ellen Burstyn, who plays Adaline's daughter after surpassing her in age, Kathy Baker, and Amanda Crew.

The experience of watching Adaline live her bizarre life keeps the drama gripping. It's not every day that a movie reveals many of its secrets to the audience, but not always to the characters on screen. While watching the film, the viewers know much of truth and get the pleasure of watching everything play out, while also getting treated to a few surprises.

As far as science fiction, fantasy, or the simply unexplainable element of not aging, this concept will raise a few eyebrows. It clearly works in the story and gives the film a different sort of mystery or twist to set it apart from typical romance stories. At the same time, it raises many questions about how it all works. There are points in the story and things that happen that are very coincidental and borderline too good to be true, and as I've mentioned, the timing and layout of everything doesn't always seem fully coherent. Viewers will have to suspend their beliefs on reality for a short time, but I believe if you give the film a shot, you won't be disappointed.

"The Age of Adaline" wasn't my favorite recent film, but every audience receives equal opportunity to see their favorite genre on the big screen, and given that a film such as this appears to be geared for primarily females or couples, it's a refreshing change for certain audiences. Keep in mind that this film will not be mistaken for the best of its genre or even be considered award-worthy, but for what it offers and attempts to do, it's appealing, romantic, magical, and even humorous at times. Overall, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this film, but did find myself entertained and engaged throughout. So, if this sounds like something you'd be interested in, go check it out this weekend.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars.

"The Age of Adaline" is rated PG-13 for a suggestive comment. Running time is 1 hour and 50 minutes.

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Hayden Pittman is a special contributor to WFAA.com and a freelance film critic and entertainment writer out of Dallas. He is a film, TV, and sports enthusiast, and when he is not reviewing movies, Hayden works in film production. As an average, passionate film lover who rarely misses a film, his reviews are simple and straightforward. Don't like what he has to say. Let him know at hpittman87@gmail.com, find him on Facebook, or follow him on Twitter at @HPMoviePitt. Enjoy the movies!

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