Originally published on www.litnet.co.za

Lovely, Still is a gentle film utterly worth watching, but when sitting down to view it, one should know more or less nothing about the film. (Except that the performances by veterans, Ellen Burstyn, aged 79, and Martin Landau, aged 80, will steal your heart and to some extent, break it.) Lovely, Still should be allowed to reveal itself to you when it is ready.

In a nutshell

I am going to lie to you. I am going to pretend Lovely, Still is about Robert and Mary meeting in their old age and falling in love. Watch the film!

Mood of the film

Mostly enchanting, yet completely tragic.

Best one-liner

‘It’s not me that is leaving you; it is you that is leaving me.’

Watch the film and you will understand why this is the pivotal line/scene in the film, one that does your head in!

Best performance

It’s a tie.

Stand out scene

When Mary opens the wrong Christmas present she discovers something both spinechilling and heart-rending. Watch the film!

Negatives

The love story initially seems too good to be true and it is a tad too schmaltzy, which might tempt a few souls to lose interest. Don’t! It is intentional and totally worth it. Watch the film!

Is the film relevant today?

I cannot tell you why this film is relevant today without giving away the plot and spoiling a great film and its relevance in this day and age. Watch the film!

FYI

Lovely, Still is rated PG for thematic material, mild language and brief smoking!

Rotten Tomatoes Score

71%

My score

75%