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‘The Age of Adaline’ – A promising watch
Film: “The Age of Adaline”; Cast: Blake Lively, Michiel Huisman, Harrison Ford, Ellen Burstyn, Kathy Baker, Amanda Crew and Lynda Boyd; Director: Lee Toland Krieger; Rating: ***1/2
“If I had your looks and energy, I’d fall in love tomorrow and if you don’t do it for yourself, at least, do it for me” — this is how 80-year-old Flemming (Ellen Burstyn) coaxes her 107-year old, mother Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively) to accept the proposal of Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman), a young man fit to be her grandson. This forms the inciting moment of this engaging romance.
With an interesting premise, the film focuses on “the last chapter in the life of Adaline”, a seemingly immortal woman who shies away from admirers and relationships due to her unfortunate condition of never aging.
Narrated through voiceover, flashbacks and archived footage, we zoom through chapters of her life. With the help of some scientific explanation in a documentary style, we are briefed of her “immune to the ravages of time” condition.
Now, wary of being treated like a freak, she keeps her condition a secret by avoiding intimacy and changing her identity and residence every decade.
We meet her as a strikingly beautiful 107-year-old lady with a cat for companion, working in the city library under the pseudonym Susan Logan, who is only in constant touch with her now elderly daughter and a blind friend.
It is when she meets the charming wealthy philanthropist Ellis Jones at a New Year’s Eve celebrations that the story gets stimulating. He pursues her and she vacillates.
The twists in the plotline, impressive performances by the cast along with Adaline’s anxiety and the outcome of her decision, are what keep you hooked to the screen.
Blake Lively as Adaline is remarkable. She looks sophisticated and genuine with her clipped diction and gait. With a melancholic demeanour, she portrays the character aptly. She does not overplay the tragic elements, which is melodrama. In fact, she is measured and tame and that’s what makes her natural.
Michiel Huisman as Ellis is charismatic. When he initially puts his hand to stop the elevator and later when he clings on the window of the cab, those moments seemed forced, with Adaline reiterating, “There you go again, putting your hand in places it does not belong.” But by the end, it is fascinating to see him passionately, unwittingly and impulsively woo an older woman.
Ellen Burstyn as Adaline’s daughter is splendid too. Her on screen moments with Blake are so appealing that you can subtly experience the mother-daughter bonding.
But the surprise element in the film is Harrison Ford’s poignant and touching performance as Elli’s father, whose loving relationship with his wife is thrown into turmoil when Adaline arrives at their house.
The film is impressively crafted by director Lee Toland Krieger. The script is entertaining and the screenplay, written by J. Mills Goodloe and Salvador Paskowitz, beautifully weaves Adaline’s life span from 1907 till 2015 and her complicated relationships.
The dialogues too are shrewdly crafted. They add to the mysterious elements of the narration.
Visually, cinematographer David Lanzenberg’s work is wonderful. With simple production design and costumes, he has used different colour palettes for different eras, a touch which, has prevented the film from being monotonous and lifeless.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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