In recent years, we have seen more mature relationships explored in a series of films on the big screen - resulting in a series of excellent romantic comedy movies. Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton have teamed up for Ruth & Alex, which has just been released on DVD.
Ruth & Alex
To celebrate the release of the film we take a look at five movies that tell stories of older couples who have fiercely loved through the years of heartache, joys and trails life brings.
- Ruth & Alex (2015)
Romantic comedy and real-world satire collide when Hollywood heavyweights Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton unite to redefine the term 'coming of age' in Ruth & Alex. When Ruth (Keaton) and Alex (Freeman) first moved to Brooklyn, it was the 1970s - years before gentrification, and years before they would realise that they won't always be physically able to climb several flights of stairs just to get home.
Still highly active, yet feeling the undeniable effects of age, the couple opts to put their apartment on the market, and over one crazy weekend they discover that finding a new apartment is not about winding down but starting a whole new adventure! Directed by Richard Loncraine and with hilarious performances from a brilliant supporting cast, including Cynthia Nixon and Carrie Preston Ruth & Alex is a heart-warming coming of age story about life, love and real estate!
The film's greatest asset comes in the form of Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton - two of the big screen's greatest actors - who both deliver fantastic, funny, and incredibly touching performances in the central roles.
The chemistry between Keaton and Freeman is just wonderful - they really do feel like they are an old married couple as they are totally in step and in tune with each other from start to finish. It is this central relationship that really pulls you in to the story and you find yourself rooting for them from the very moment that you meet them.
- It's Complicated (2010)
It's Complicated is a story nothing short of its title. When Jane (Meryl Streep) falls into a secret affair with her ex-husband of ten years, Jake (Alec Baldwin) the couple viciously works to keep their romantic relationship a secret from their three children and Jake's much younger wife, Agness.
It is not until the two attend their son Luke's college graduation that the real trouble begins. The story follows the twisted trail of events that follow along with the stress that comes with carrying out such a unique affair.
It's Complicated is a movie that does explore some very familiar themes and ideas but it is the performances from a very talented cast that really elevates this film to something more.
Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin are on fine form from start to finish - Baldwin is on particularly fine and very funny form - as the three find themselves in a rather unexpected love triangle.
For me, It's Complicated really is a lot of fun and it's great to see complicated love lives not exclusively reserved for the twenty or thirty somethings in film. This really is a very enjoyable romantic comedy with Streep, Martin, and Baldwin stealing the show with funny and, at time, very moving performances as their characters try to figure out what and who they want.
- Something's Gotta Give (2004)
When it comes to romantic comedies, Something's Gotta Give is up there as one of the best as Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton join forces.
It's never too late to find true love - even with someone you would never expect. Despite being in his 60's, Harry (Nicholson), has a record of only dating women under 30. This includes his latest girlfriend, Marin. The couple decides to holiday alone at her mother's beach house in the Hamptons, but instead are surprised by Marin's mother, Erica, (Keaton) and her aunt, Zoe.
After Harry experiences an unexpected heart-attack the doctor encourages him to stay around the area for a few days. Meaning, he would be staying with Erica. The two have conflicting personalities, which leads to an awkward living arrangement, but the more time they spend together, the more they realise opposites do attract.
It's hard to believe that Something's Gotta Give is already over a decade old as it is a movie that I have gone back to again and again over the years because it is such a great watch.
Something's Gotta Give is written and directed by Nancy Meyers and is sees Keaton and Nicholson both give hilarious and incredibly warm performances as Harry and Erica. The pair really do sizzle together and the chemistry between them is really want makes this movie work.
Having said that, Meyers has penned an intelligent, witty, and incredibly charming script that is packed with interesting characters - brought to life wonderfully by a talented cast; Keanu Reeves, Amanda Peet, and Frances McDormand are all also fantastic.
- The Face Of Love (2014)
We are huge fans of Anette Bening here at FemaleFirst and she teamed up with Ed Harris last year for The Face of Love, which saw Arie Posin in the director's chair for the second feature film of his career.
When Nikki (Bening) tragically loses her husband, Garret (Harris), in a drowning accident she struggles to get on with her life. Until she visits an art gallery and sees a man whose resemblance to her late-husband is uncanny.
She later identifies the mysterious man as a local college professor named Tom (Harris). The two eventually become involved in a romantic relationship, whilst she tries to keep a secret from her family and friends, who would recognize the eerie resemblance.
The performances from Bening and Harris make this film worth a watch as they just pour so much emotion into their characters and some of their scenes really are incredibly powerful.
While The Face of Love does explore themes of love and passion it also looks at grief and obsession, making it an intriguing watch.
- Hope Springs (2012)
We have already looked at one Meryl Streep movie but she teamed up with Tommy Lee Jones in 2012 for comedy Hope Springs. The movie saw David Frankel in the director's chair, while Steve Carell was also on the cast list.
Sometimes all you need is a little hope to reignite the spark. Hope Springs tells the story of Kay and Arnold Soames (Streep and Jones), a faithfully devoted couple who have not slept in the same bed for years.
Kay, realising their relationship is in jeopardy, signs the couple up for a week of intense marriage counselling in Maine, but Arnold denies anything is awry. The story follows the couple on the good, bad and awkward moments of falling in love all over again.
Streep and Jones make a terrific comedic team as the film explores the ups and downs of a mature relationship that has lost its spark. There's something incredibly honest and sensitive about the story and the performances that makes this movie a fun and touching watch.
Ruth & Alex is out on DVD now courtesy of Signature Entertainment.