"The Age of Adaline" Review

The Age of Adaline is a charming romantic fantasy with well-acted performances from stars Blake Lively and Harrison Ford, even if the story isn't quite as compelling as other mortality tales.

The film is about a young woman (Blake Lively), born at the turn of the 20th century, who is mysteriously rendered ageless at 29 after a freak accident. Drama ensues as present-day Adaline meets Ellis (Michiel Huisman), a young man who may be worthy of learning her secret after she spends a lifetime keeping to herself.

I was surprised to learn that Adaline is not based on a novel or any previously published material, though it hearkens comparisons to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button which centers on a character who ages backwards. Scribes J. Mills Goodloe and Salvador Paskowitz deserve props for putting an overall unique spin on an original story of mortality. Even though the script is not without flaw, I'm excited to see what they write next.

I didn't care much for the use of voice-over. Hugh Ross's narration starts at a confusing point in the film in which Adaline may or may not be watching an old news reel about her life leading up to the accident. That's how the mythology of the story is explained. It's tightly dictated, but I think simply starting the film with Adaline's backstory would've made her character more mysterious and more interesting to follow.

As it is, I felt removed from the story at times because I couldn't quite empathize with Adaline despite Lively's best efforts. This is the perfect star vehicle for her, but I think the actress's best work is yet to come.

Things pick up in the film's second half where Adaline spends the weekend with Ellis and his parents (Harrison Ford & Kathy Baker). There's a point where Ford's character first recognizes Adaline as a figure from his past in which he shows a sense of restrained elation that, for me, single-handedly reaffirmed my faith in the aging star's capabilities. It's refreshing to see Ford acting again after a sad string of cash grabs recently.

Overall, I'd surmise that The Age of Adaline is a good-not-great romance that will service as solid date-night entertainment.

B-