SYNOPSIS: After miraculously remaining 29 years old for almost eight decades, Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively) has lived a solitary existence, never allowing herself to get close to anyone who might reveal her secret. But a chance encounter with charismatic philanthropist Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman) reignites her passion for life and romance. When a weekend with his parents (Harrison Ford and Kathy Baker) threatens to uncover the truth, Adaline makes a decision that will change her life forever.

REVIEW: Forrest Gump, Benjamin Button, and now Adaline Bowman (I'm probably forgetting someone, but you get the idea) make a list of extraordinary people dealt an extraordinary hand in life and it's amazing how they lived it. Yes, surely, Adaline can be added to the list. This movie is as charming as Blake Lively is in it. I told Priscilla, who accompanied me to the screening, that I have a new crush . . . she understood. I know Blake's been around for a while but she never fully convinced me until now, and did she ever. This role and her performance should strongly establish her on the map and brighten her flame. Adaline is wise and intellectual, sweet and caring. Blake was sexy and sensual, dressed to kill with hairdos and makeup to match. The tone of voice she used for this character was so appropriate and it could melt rocks, or at least any man's heart. It was mature yet so young, just like every aspect of her. Priscilla has a significant crush on a certain Ryan Reynolds you see. So when he married Blake, well, she actually was accepting of it claiming that Ryan made an excellent choice because Blake is stunning and classy, an all-around excellent woman. So she was okay with it, just like she is okay with my new crush on her. So that explains that, and this movie very much accentuates those aforementioned traits which is what took me over the top. That in combination with an excellent performance and how she lights up every scene, well, she truly made the movie. Well, okay, the story is pretty darn good too. Not quite as complicated as Gump or Button, but just as charming and memorable. And just like those films, we have quite the love story going on here too, in multiple ways. As you can imagine, she's had her share of relationships full of as much heartbreak as love. But her strongest bond was always with her daughter Flemming. Something about Adeline's eyes when she looks at Flemming, played by Ellen Burstyn, is so poignant. Blake portrays such a caring, maternal emotion whenever they are together on screen. At moments the story is cute and adorable, others romantic, but always painful. There is a certain sadness in Adeline's eyes that betrays her age and all that she has experienced.

One subtle delight that Priscilla picked up on instantly was the use of fashion. Adaline would dress vintage yet timely and always chic. She could have walked out of the pages of Vogue magazine in the 1940s as easily as the 2010s and none would be the wiser. And she pulls it off so effortlessly. I'm sure you can tell by now that Priscilla and I both agree that the casting for this movie was so well executed. Blake IS Adaline. Another noticeable casting job well done was the selection of Anthony Ingruber as the young William Jones, the older William Jones being played by Harrison Ford. Wow, same look, same voice (unless it was a voice over), he really was a young Harrison Ford. The only “casting” let down was the narrator who interjects a few times during the movie. He was a bit droll and sounded a bit too scientific for such a dramatic story. It just didn’t match. He was interesting as hell, but his voice interrupted the mood of the scene. But at least we get another very well executed aspect of the film which was the cinematography. Director Lee Toland Krieger has done another excellent job with this good quality romantic drama. He is really establishing himself in this genre. So before all the really big summer blockbusters start coming out, this is a good choice at the box office . . . a refreshing and moving tale.

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