Movies About Senior Citizens

From Florian Zeller, starring Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Mark Gatiss, Olivia Williams
Rated PG-13

The Father is an intimate and heartbreaking portrait of an elderly man struggling with dementia. Anthony (Anthony Hopkins) is a cantankerous, independent elderly man living in his own London flat with the help of a private carer. His daughter Anne (Olivia Colman) is trying to move him into her home in order to provide him with the care he needs, but he resists the idea. As his condition worsens, he begins to forget who people are and mix up reality with his own memories and imagination. The film follows the heartbreaking journey of a man desperately trying to cling to his independence, as his daughter desperately searches for help and understanding.

From David Lynch, starring Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek, Jane Galloway Heitz, Joseph A. Carpenter
Rated G

The Straight Story is a 1999 biographical drama film directed by David Lynch and written by John Roach. It is based on the true story of Alvin Straight, played in the film by Richard Farnsworth, an elderly man who embarks on a 240-mile journey across Iowa and Wisconsin on his 1966 John Deere lawn tractor to visit his ailing brother, played by Harry Dean Stanton. Along his journey, Alvin meets a variety of people who help him along the way and he learns much about himself and the world around him. The film was both a critical and box office success, earning Farnsworth an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

From Michael Haneke, starring Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva, Isabelle Huppert, Alexandre Tharaud
Rated PG-13

Amour is a 2012 French-language drama film directed by Michael Haneke, starring Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva, and Isabelle Huppert. The film follows Georges and Anne, an elderly couple living in Paris, who are faced with Anne's decline in health due to a series of strokes. While Georges struggles to take care of Anne, he must also contend with the intrusion of their daughter's concerns for her mother's well-being. Through tragedy and hardship, the couple's bond is tested as they face the realities of Anne's condition, and Georges' determination to care for her.

From Roger Donaldson, starring Anthony Hopkins, Diane Ladd, Iain Rea, Tessa Mitchell
Rated PG-13

The World's Fastest Indian is a 2005 biographical film directed by Roger Donaldson. The film is based on the true story of New Zealander Burt Munro, who spent years building a 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle, a bike which he hoped to take to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah to attempt to set a land speed record. In spite of his age and health problems, Munro sets off from his home in New Zealand, travelling across the United States to Utah. Along the way, he meets a variety of people and experiences several challenges. Despite the odds, he ultimately succeeds in his quest, setting a land speed record for motorcycles of his type. The film follows Munro's inspirational journey and captures his spirit of determination and enthusiasm for life.

From Hannes Holm, starring Rolf Lassgård, Bahar Pars, Filip Berg, Ida Engvoll
Rated PG-13

A Man Called Ove is a heartwarming comedy-drama directed by Hannes Holm, starring Rolf Lassgård. It tells the story of Ove, a grumpy, curmudgeonly old widower living in a small Swedish suburb who is determined to create order and routine out of his chaotic life. After the death of his wife, Ove's life takes an unexpected turn when he befriends a young family that moves in next door. Through his growing friendship with them and the other people in his life, Ove discovers a newfound purpose and acceptance. A Man Called Ove is a feel-good movie about the power of friendship, acceptance, and second chances that will leave you with a smile on your face.

From Mark Rydell, starring Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda, Doug McKeon
Rated PG

On Golden Pond is a 1981 drama directed by Mark Rydell that follows the story of retired English professor Norman Thayer (Henry Fonda) and his wife Ethel (Katharine Hepburn) as they spend their summer on Golden Pond in Maine. They soon encounter their teenage neighbor Billy (Doug McKeon), who takes it upon himself to repair their strained relationship. Through his loving bond with Billy, Norman begins to heal past wounds, while Ethel finds an unexpected new friendship. Together, they come to realize the importance of family, learning to cherish the moments they have together. As the summer draws to a close, Norman and Ethel must decide if they are ready to let go of the past and embrace the future.

From Doris Dörrie, starring Elmar Wepper, Hannelore Elsner, Aya Irizuki, Maximilian Brückner
Rated Unrated

Cherry Blossoms is a German-Japanese drama about an aging Tokyo businessman, Rudi (Tatsuya Nakadai), who has been estranged from his wife and children for many years. He discovers that his wife, Trudi (Hanna Schygulla), is terminally ill. Believing that his life is meaningless without her, he decides to take a trip to Berlin to visit his oldest son, Karl (Maximilian Bruckner). Through the journey, Rudi comes to terms with the fact that his life is coming to an end, and he begins to reconnect with his family and find a newfound appreciation for life. Along the way, he also learns to appreciate the beauty of the cherry blossoms that line his path. In the end, Rudi finds a new sense of peace and understanding, and a renewed appreciation for the fragility and beauty of life.

From Stephen Frears, starring Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Mare Winningham
Rated PG-13

Philomena is a 2013 British drama film directed by Stephen Frears and starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. The screenplay was written by Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope based on the 2009 book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by journalist Martin Sixsmith. The film tells the true story of Philomena Lee, an Irish woman who, as a teenager in 1952, became pregnant and was sent to a convent to be looked after as a “fallen woman”. She was forced to give up her newborn son, Anthony, for adoption and never allowed to see him again. Fifty years later, Philomena, now a mother and grandmother, meets journalist Martin Sixsmith and asks him to help her find her son. The film follows Philomena, Martin, and their adventures over the course of several months as they travel to America and back in search of Anthony. Along the way they uncover a web of secrets, lies, and heartbreaking truths as they try to come to terms with the events that shaped their lives. Ultimately, Philomena discovers the secrets of her past and the story of her beloved son.

From Ignacio Ferreras, starring Tacho González, Álvaro Guevara, Mabel Rivera, Raúl Dans
Rated Not Rated

Wrinkles is a 2011 animated film directed by Ignacio Ferreras. The film follows the story of Emilio, an elderly gentleman with Alzheimer’s disease who moves into a care home. He is looked after by a younger resident named Miguel, and the two become unlikely friends. Through their friendship, Emilio is able to find solace and meaning in his life again. With Miguel's help, Emilio shares stories from his past and remembers the important people in his life. The film is a heartwarming and touching story of an unlikely friendship and the power of memory.

From Dan Ireland, starring Joan Plowright, Rupert Friend, Zoë Tapper, Robert Lang
Rated Not Rated

Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont is a 2005 drama directed by Dan Ireland. It follows the story of an elderly widow, Mrs. Palfrey (played by Joan Plowright), who moves into a London boarding home, the Claremont. There, she meets a variety of different people, all of whom are interesting in their own way, and attempts to make a new life for herself. Despite warnings from her son, Mrs. Palfrey strikes up a friendship with a young writer, Ludo (Rupert Friend), and together they discover a new way of living and an appreciation for the beauty of life. The film deals with themes of loneliness, friendship, age, and hope.

From Sarah Polley, starring Julie Christie, Michael Murphy, Gordon Pinsent, Stacey LaBerge
Rated PG-13

Away From Her is a 2006 Canadian drama film written and directed by Sarah Polley and starring Gordon Pinsent and Julie Christie. The film follows Fiona and Grant, a married couple who must cope with Fiona's gradual descent into Alzheimer's disease. As Fiona's memory fades, Grant attempts to balance his love for her with the need to let her go and begin to live an independent life. At a nursing home, Fiona begins a relationship with Aubrey, another Alzheimer's patient, causing Grant to struggle between his loyalty to Fiona and his own needs. In the end, he learns to accept her relationship with Aubrey and their new lives without him.

From Rob Reiner, starring Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Sean Hayes, Beverly Todd
Rated PG-13

From Paul Mazursky, starring Art Carney, Ellen Burstyn, René Enríquez, Herbert Berghof
Rated R

From Mike Leigh, starring Jim Broadbent, Ruth Sheen, Lesley Manville, Oliver Maltman
Rated PG-13

From Michael McGowan, starring James Cromwell, Ronan Rees, Geneviève Bujold, Campbell Scott
Rated PG-13

From François Dupeyron, starring Omar Sharif, Pierre Boulanger, Gilbert Melki, Isabelle Renauld
Rated R

From Robert Benton, starring Paul Newman, Bruce Willis, Jessica Tandy, Melanie Griffith
Rated R

From John Madden, starring Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson
Rated PG-13

From Alexander Payne, starring Jack Nicholson, Hope Davis, Dermot Mulroney, Kathy Bates
Rated R

From Roger Michell, starring Peter O'Toole, Jodie Whittaker, Leslie Phillips, Beatrice Savoretti
Rated R

From Andrew Haigh, starring Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay, Geraldine James, Dolly Wells
Rated R

From Nancy Meyers, starring Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo, Anders Holm
Rated PG-13

From Nik Fackler, starring Martin Landau, Ellen Burstyn, Elizabeth Banks, Adam Scott
Rated PG

From Donald Petrie, starring Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith
Rated PG-13

From Charles Dance, starring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Daniel Brühl, Freddie Jones
Rated PG-13