Boynton Beach Club (2005)

When you've got Dyan Cannon and Sally Kellerman in your Senior Center grief counseling program, there's a lot of whispering envy going on, as well as some very interested men. But this isn't a story about some 60-somethings near Ft. Lauderdale "gone wild", it's a very respectful story about the different ways people deal with grief after many years in a relationship. The story focuses on several different seniors, but the heart of that story belongs to Brenda Vaccaro, whose very virile husband is suddenly killed by a self-centered elderly woman talking on her cell phone. Vaccaro is approached by grief center member Dyan Cannon who encourages her to attend the program, where Vaccaro unleashes her seething anger on her very first meeting. Cannon takes Vaccaro under her wing, while another recent widower (the delightful Len Cariou) finds himself the subject of the admiration of the sultry beauty Sally Kellerman who encourages him to talk. Joe Bologna is the seemingly oversexed pal who encourages Cariou to pursue the beautiful Kellerman, while Michael Nouri is the not-yet retired man Cannon takes up with. She thinks he's a real estate developer, but things are not always what they seem to be.Each of these individuals makes their own self discoveries thanks to widowhood, and Vaccaro confronts the woman ("The Nanny's" Renee Taylor) who killed her husband. Don't expect Sylvia Fine in Taylor's cameo as the self-centered woman who may feel bad but doesn't feel she deserves Vaccaro's anger. They may look alike and have similar personal attributes, but Taylor's clueless woman is as far from "The Nanny's" mom as you can get. Vaccaro, in the type of role usually played by Kathy Bates, is very real; In fact, she is probably the truest character in the script. While it is nice to see that she begins to come back to life thanks to Cannon's compassion, it's also realistic to see that she wouldn't really change all that much. Underneath her sour persona is a woman of heart equally scared and angry about the sudden changes to her life. It's nice to see her stand up to her family about not having to move closer to them, but that is not as well developed as the similar story of Cariou's daughter and granddaughter. They are each shocked and thrilled by revelations about their mother and grandmother who had quite a different identity than the one they perceived her to be. Don't expect the senior citizens of "Driving Miss Daisy" and "On Golden Pond" in this story. These are characters who grew up in the 50's and 60's and were rebels then and refuse to go out in wheelchairs or with a walker unless they have to. There may be some moments that some may find a bit far-fetched or unnecessary (like the conversation which occurs over Cannon and her pals discussing their anatomy while watching a porno), but overall, this is a delightful funny film with some still very sexy women showing that it's not always about being 20-something.

This movie is a love story and a comedy, but it is much, much more than that. It had a wonderful mix of personalities. It is about the reality of losing someone and coming through it a better person with a lot more of life to live.Not just for Over-60s, but it may help to be to really appreciate this film. I felt like I knew all these people...in fact, I felt like I was one of them.There was a very good write-up in AARP Magazine about the making of Boynton Beach...very interesting. Go see it...You'll laugh and cry at the same time.

This movie is both funny and poignant. I think you might have to be over 50 to really enjoy it. It makes the point that people only change on the outside. On the inside we still are young and hoping for romance. I was happy to see a movie where the characters are mature and enjoying life. The cast was just perfect. I thank them all for taking part in the movie. So far, in Southern California it is not in wide release. I'm hoping it makes a wider release so that more people will see it. If they are aiming for a more mature audience they will have to have it in neighborhood theaters. I don't think most people are willing to drive long distances to see a movie.

I saw this movie in Deerfield Beach, Fla. on the same day I visited relatives in Boynton Beach, two towns and about 10 miles north. It was highly recommended by these relatives. The story centers around a bereavement group consisting of seniors most of whom (about 8 out of 9) are females. The movie concerns the problems of dating and (what else?) sex, and it handles this pretty well, following three principal characters through their struggles and doubts. It tackles the problems of getting back on ones feet after the demise of a spouse, and perhaps starting a new relationship. The movie addresses the problems of both the men and the women, and does so thoughtfully and sympathetically. I thought there were a few false moments, contrived for effect, but on the whole it was an honest movie which held your attention throughout. The acting was fine, and I would single out Brenda Vaccaro for her fine acting. I rate the picture as a eight (very good), though I am tempted to add more points because it refrains from demeaning older folks and their problems.