Highly Recommended: Lovely, Still

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My love for the geriatric set does not start and end with The Golden Girls. In this youth driven culture of Jersey Shores and Kim Kardashians, I always welcome a seasoned diversion from the mainstream.

Such was the case for Lovely, Still, a delightful, romantic film about Robert (Martin Landau) and Mary's (Ellen Burstyn) whimsical December-December love affair.

A lonely Robert gets a new lease on life when Mary moves in across the street and asks him out on a date. What ensues is a heartwarming exploration of late-in-life romance with a sentimental twist that will leave you heartbroken.

First time director Nicholas Fackler does a fine job of layering this fable with its snow globe setting and Christmas-themed backdrop. Lovely also boasts spectacular performances from its two leads, Oscar winners Burstyn and Landau, respectively. 

Through SAG screenings and my addiction to Entertainment Weekly, I usually have my finger on the pulse of good independent films. Somehow, this one slipped by me.

It screened at the Toronto Film Festival in 2008 and opened in limited release September 2010 with a total box office gross of $124,720.

This overlooked gem is not only a pleasure to watch, but worthy of a second viewing.

Lovely, Still is available for view via Netflix streaming.

Add it to your queue. You won't be disappointed.







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Comments

NorthernStar said…
Looks good. I'm going have to check it out.

I can just imagine what happens to evoke "heartbreak". Isn't that just great? I'll have to make sure I have something happy and upbeat planned immediately after the movie. LOL
September 15, 2011 at 9:31 AM
The Pretty Brown Girl said…
Oh my goodness! I have to watch this! I love a good indie film and Ellen Burstyn has a been a fave of mine for years. Even though she SNATCHED that Oscar out from under the more-deserving Diahnn Carroll. She got it for "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" when Ms. Carroll SHOULDA got it for "Claudine". Both of them were "single mama love stories"!! Diahnn Carroll turned it though!
September 15, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Urbane Urbanite said…
@NorthernStar
Indeed. LOL. But I"m a sucka for a tearjerker!
September 15, 2011 at 2:35 PM
Urbane Urbanite said…
@The Pretty Brown Girl
And then Burstyn was robbed of her Oscar for "Requiem for a Dream" by Julia Roberts in "Erin Brokovich."
September 15, 2011 at 2:36 PM
NHL jerseys said…
oh wow, this looks great!
August 26, 2012 at 6:26 AM
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