Richard Carr

5 stars to a 4 star movie simply because of the TIMING. Yes, my viewing of it at this time and how it relates to more than a few significant things in my life. Ben Kingsley, Harriet Sansom Harris, Jane Curtin, each did such a wonderful job with making each of their characters so uniquely credible, likeable and funny. I actually laughed out loud in a few spots, one turned into sad tears then happy tears. The deep messages regarding getting old and being old, not being taken seriously, barely even being paid attention to even when present, dementia, which hits home because of my 89 year old mom went through exactly what Milton in the movie went through almost as if she saw the movie, and my sister, almost as if the character, Milton's daughter, Denise, was based upon my sister who just recently moved my mother out of her home and into a Retirement Village, yes, hit home for sure. The aspect regarding the DEAD CATS hit home just as hard. I realize, like so many other viewers, I was 'grossed out' and wondering hard why the writer(s) chose such, but then, I realized, it was profoundly appropriate, symbolic and soothing. You see, my cat of 21 years, Casper, she was my best and closest friend. She and I went through so much together, from the moment she opened her eyes as a new born kitten to when she died in my arms 4 yrs. ago. I couldn't believe how sad it made me feel and how much I miss her. To see a dead/stiff "roadkill" cat in a movie really struck a cord, but then I realized, the cats, the dead cats in the movie, made the GEM, or Jewel, if you will, that was the source of energy that power the craft that enabled Jules to return to the heavens. It made me feel happy, made me realize that I may be in my 60's, and even though my absentmindedness rears it's ugly head all the more frequently, I still was able to figure out that part of the movie and that made me feel better than I would have expected from a movie. Thanks for reading my comment. I hope you enjoyed the movie, very much. OH, btw, there was a moment just when Zoe Winters, who portrayed Ben Kingsley's character's daughter, looked, well, I swear she could be related to Barret Spencer Oliver, the kid in "Cocoon" (1985).