Daisies in December (1995)

Like some others, I discovered this film while surfing one day at home, and fortunately it was near the beginning because the unusual love context (for films these days) and slowly developing drama were absorbing for me. Jean Simmons has been one of my all-time favorite actresses (especially in Elmer Gantry and Guys and Dolls) and it was wonderful to recognize her as a widowed woman in an English retirement home with a wry and gentle comic touch. As a guy who visited his mother for 10 years in a retirement home, it was moving and poignant to recognize the sweet and sometimes awkward interaction among the residents, and then to see Jean Simmons's character and Joss Ackland slowly and hesitantly gravitate to each other. Nobody's life is ever over until the casket is closed, and it's inspiring to see oldsters risk their emotions in their final years, tentatively at first and then with more assurance. Near the end, the ex-stockbroker Joss Ackland's character renders investment advice to the residents about moving from "blue-chip" stocks to riskier investments with the promise of greater returns, and then goes on to use that as an apt metaphor for being able to risk exposing our emotional vulnerabilities for the promise, and reward, of love, however fleeting and temporal.Poor, gravelly-voiced Joss.....when he finds cinematic love in his older years, while it's sweetness is probably enhanced by its fleeting nature (from health issues), it can still be a bittersweet experience for him, similar to what he experienced with Claire Bloom in the BBC version of C.S. Lewis's Shadowlands produced 10 years before Daisies.

I saw Daises In December when it was shown the first time on TV. I fell in love with it. I was lucky enough to catch it again and recorded it. I enjoyed viewing it a number of times. I would often watch it when I could not sleep,,,, or after a particularly bad day. That lovely movie about an unlikely love gave me hope that one day I will find someone. THEN DISASTER STRUCK!!!! My son grabbed a tape one day without seeing if anything was listed on the case and recorded over it! I wanted to kill him! That was definitely a sad day. I have been searching for someone else who may have recorded it for a number of years. If anyone has recorded it and would be willing to share it would be greatly appreciated. evelyn

I think this movie "Daisies in December" was one of the most enjoyable movies I have seen. It was funny, sad, romantic. Just a "heart warming" story.I wonder if it is possible to purchase this movie on Video?I work as a nurse in an Aged Care Hostel, I would Just love to be able to obtain a copy to show to my residents. I am sure most of them could relate to it,in "one way or an other"Having worked in this setting, has helped me appreciate this movie even more. I is so much more difficult for men to settle into these situations, more so than women. Daisies in December portrayed the whole story so beautifully,Nola

This is a gentle old fashioned type of love story with enough humor to make it appeal to a wider audience. It's also nice to see Joss playing a role other than the bad guy. Although he's a little rude and short of tact - he's basically a decent chap in this one.