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Boynton Beach Club By Harry Forbes Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) -- "Boynton Beach Club" (Roadside/Samuel Goldwyn) is a touching story about widowed and divorced seniors in a Florida adult community who meet in a bereavement group and come to learn that life is far from over, as they forge deep friendships and find it's not too late for romance. There's Marilyn (Brenda Vaccaro), whose beloved husband, Marty, is run down by inconsiderate yenta Anita (Renee Taylor) gabbing on her cell phone as she backs her car out of her driveway. Interior designer Lois (Dyan Cannon) talks up a handsome real estate developer Donald (Michael Nouri) in a diner, and befriends the widowed Marilyn. There's new widower Jack (an especially fine Len Cariou), hit hard by the death of his beloved Phyllis, who finds himself the target of every widow in the community, but falls under spell of the attractive Sandy (Sally Kellerman). And there's would-be lady's man Harry (Joe Bologna), who advises Jack on his new widowhood, teaches him to cook, and meanwhile, tries to meet someone online. Director and co-writer Susan Seidelman -- whose script (written with Shelly Gitlow) was based on the experiences of her own mother, co-producer Florence Seidelman -- has gathered a first-rate cast that delivers honest, wonderful performances. For the most part, Seidelman has avoided hackneyed treatment, and the film conveys worthy messages about recovery from grief, finding unexpected love, and rebuilding self-esteem. Unfortunately, as with most films these days, the implied permissiveness that comes with looking for love -- even at an advanced age -- usually translates into a physical relationship. Still, when Harry discovers he's inadvertently made a date with a prostitute, he beats a hasty retreat. Though Lois is smitten with Donald from the start, their consummation, though not to be condoned, at least points to a presumed commitment after the final fade-out. Similarly, Jack's relationship with Sandy has the requisite gravitas. Also not strictly kosher from a Catholic point of view is Marilyn's continuing -- if understandable -- anger toward the woman who killed her husband. Though Marilyn manages to get on with her life, she still doesn't find it in her heart to forgive. Despite these problematic elements, the film's humanity shines through. The film contains a casual view of premarital sex including condom use and pornography, acceptability of divorce, mild innuendo, nongraphic sexual encounters, partial female nudity, a few instances of rough and crude words, a nonsexual encounter with a prostitute, and drug use. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America. - - - Forbes is director of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. More reviews are available online at www.usccb.org/movies. END Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed. CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250 |
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