by ANNE MARIE MARKO

Old people, unlike children, aren’t cute—at least, not in the same way. No one applauds them when they fill their diaper with a healthy stool or rushes over to kiss their boo-boos when they fall over and hurt themselves, and that isn’t fair. Call them aged, elderly, a nuisance, whatever, hey, they’re still people. Director Susan Seidelman’s new film, Boynton Beach Club, champions the “early bird special” crowd, giving them the opportunity to tell everyone, “Screw being cute! We’re here, we’re… Well, okay, we’re here, at least. So get used to it.”

Seidelman’s romantic comedy, inspired by her own mother’s post-retirement adventures, centers on the members of a bereavement group in an “Active Adult” community in Boynton Beach, Florida. While coping with the loss of their loved ones, these seniors are forced to confront the reality that they’re still alive and, worse than that, they’re single again!

There’s Marilyn (Brenda Vaccaro) whose husband, mistaken for a recycling bin, was run over while jogging. Angry and grieving, she finds herself back at square one, learning how to balance her chequebook and re-learning how to drive a car that still carries the smell of her deceased husband. Then there’s Jack (Len Cariou), who, encouraged by his daughter to get on with his life, is then similarly berated for doing just that when he accepts a date with the free spirited Sandy (a radiant, plastic surgery-free Sally Kellerman). And finally there’s Harry (Joseph Bologna), who bravely throws his hat into the ring of modern dating with a variety of interesting results, and thin, vivacious Lois (Dyan Cannon), who falls in love again only to find out all is not as it seems.

Boynton Beach Club has every potential to be schmaltzy, predictable and pandering, but Seidelman skillfully manages to avoid all these things. Though comedic, the sexual side of things is treated respectfully and honestly—there’s even nudity (Sally Kellerman flashes her senior hooters for but a second). It’s actually a pleasure to watch those old mugs on screen. It had the effect of not only making me feel young but somewhat comforted too. If 60 is the new 40, then bring it on.

Boynton Beach Club opens this Friday, Nov. 3

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