SnoReptilePlenty Memorable, crazy movie

Taraparain Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Matho The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

Philippa All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

S. Mayle I have to be honest, at first I wasn't looking forward to watching this documentary. I thought it would be depressing because of its subject. But it was quite the opposite. These ladies made me feel good about growing old. They're bodies may not be as willing as they once were but their minds sure as heck are. They are more full of life than some people I know who are in their 20's. They are opinionated, active, and hilarious. Former activists, and well current activists as well, living in a retirement home called Sunset Hall, which is a retirement home for the "free-thinking" elderly. These two women share a friendship, that didn't start until they both moved into the home within weeks of each other, the likes that some people will never ever have. This is a great heartwarming story about being old, but having a spirit that never ages. A lot can be learned from this movie. I really enjoyed it a lot more than I ever thought I would and I think you will to. Lucille and Irja are funny, intriguing, and simply beautiful, and so is this film.

dvdgoofball This enchanting and somewhat melancholy documentary chronicling the last stages of life for two elderly women named Irja(81) and Lucille (95 who have become best friends after being placed in a retirement home for aging left wing radicals. Though just as a backdrop, Sunset Hall (the retirement home) provides a unique stage to see how the last years of life for the two women is played out. Sometimes sad, other times so full of joy that you pause while watching considering your own mortality, and the dignity that our elders deserve. Such a stark and real look at our humanity in its last stages that for anyone I think this film is a must see. For me, the funniest portions were watching Irja's upbeat optimism constantly coming in contact with Lucille's dry, cynical eye. Hee larious! Check it out, it's worth watching.

jonboy3000 I stood and applauded along with the packed crowd in the theater. This is by far one of the most touching, heart-felt, nuanced looks at aging, death, life, and the friends we leave behind I've ever seen. What starts off seeming like it's going to be a sort of tongue-in-cheek comedic view of an old folk's home for aging activists, becomes instead a personal story between two elderly friends as they deal with the pains - both emotional and physical - of growing old.And if that turns you off; if you have a picture in your mind that this is going to be a purely weepy, painfully arduous film about old people on the verge of death, you're wrong. There are moments of enlightened humor and brilliance that will make you guffaw out loud. There are inspirational moments that will make you leave the theater wanting to live a fuller life. There are deep moments that have you contemplating your own aging process, as well as your thoughts about what it might be like when you're 75, 85, 95. And yes, there are powerfully, potently sad moments that will have you bawling into your popcorn.It is, in a nutshell (an overly simplified nutshell), sort of a documentary version of "On Golden Pond", full of the same sweet sadness and auld lang syne (sp?), but with a documentary's ability to sweep aside typical heartstring-pulling cinematic manipulation. Yes, Sunset Story uses a score - a deeply emotional piano score - but it serves the story, enhancing the natural drama playing out on the screen without dictating what emotions you should be feeling at what time.This documentary should be seen, far and wide.

MPinkosh This unmissable documentary follows the lives of two elderly leftist women in the run down once-kinder section of Los Angeles, south of Wilshire near the heart of the old Downtown.Founded in 1923, Sunset Hall is a retirement/care home for elderly "free-thinking" people (i.e. old Communists, labor organizers and "lefties") but the setting is simply the prism thru which we follow two amazing ladies, Irja and Lucille. To tell more would be to deprive the viewer of an amazing and touching journey , but this is a heartfelt, clever, hard-edged yet tender piece of film making. Laura Gabbert directs with an unusually disciplined and unsentimental approach. The slow and careful revealing of the relationship between these two women is perfectly balanced and beautifully executed. Shot on video, the technique is such that I was immediately and completely engaged with the people and in their surroundings. I laughed out loud several times and sat weeping as well. A truly exceptional 75 minutes.