Stephanie Varis

"Souls at Night" film is quite a heartfelt story of two widowers who found one another then faced separation. The movie may use a few tweaks, but it is sadly realistic showing that family life is not perfect and does not always follow our expectations. The film displays Louis and Addie unique story of great pain of love gained and lost, two widowed lovers who started alone and ended up alone to face separation by distance. Friends who become lovers and end up back as friends as a full circle. In earlier times, Addie and Louis could not marry because of a law that one of the two has to give up their their Social Security check but now they could have married and kept both checks because of houses of worship to be able to change laws for elderly couples to marry and not live in sin. Sadly, Gene, Addie's son, created the break up of Addie and Louis who acted as grandparents to Jamie, who wanted to stay but leave with all having no rights. Grandparents and children have limited rights. If they had been able to marry, then it would have assisted the strained situation. The film gave the world this poignant story to show that Louis was widowed and alone, was discovered by Addie who found true love because of a solid friendship, not there in their previous marriages. They started alone then ended up alone. It shows a turn of tables in Louise's life, even after he repented leaving and returning to his family, which was accepted by Addie, but Gene was unforgiving. It shows that life can be unfair. Addie became crippled unable to drive, but years ago there were no handheld driving devices as of recent. Louis was left up to driving but now there was distance and age. In earlier times there were only expensive landlines so long distance calls were kept to once per month for couples of yesterday. This movie showed the modern take that a separated couple now have acquired smartphones to connect at night, keeping their souls together. This gives people hope in the modern day for couples who sadly separate to be able to reconnect using the latest technologies.