This Friday we have found an everlasting treat that is a perfect Friday Night Movie on Netflix — “The Age of Adaline,” a 2015 film directed by Lee Toland Krieger starring Blake Lively. This beautifully crafted romantic drama spins a tale of eternal youth, woven with threads of love, loss, and the relentless passage of time. It’s a must-watch for its unique narrative making it an unforgettable addition to our series and raises the question — what would you do if you had eternal youth?
Plot
“The Age of Adaline” follows the life of Adaline Bowman, a woman born at the turn of the 20th century who is rendered ageless after an unusual accident at the age of 29. Living through the decades without aging a day, Adaline guards her secret closely, leading a solitary existence to avoid becoming a scientific curiosity.
However, her eternal life takes a turn when she meets Ellis Jones, a charismatic philanthropist who reignites her passion for life and love. As Adaline wrestles with the decision to reveal her secret, the film beautifully explores themes of immortality and the intertwined complexities of love and time.
Cast
Blake Lively brings Adaline Bowman to life with a poised and poignant performance, capturing the timeless elegance and quiet strength of her character. Lively’s portrayal is both haunting and graceful, offering a window into the soul of a woman who has seen the world change while she remains unchanged. Opposite her, Michiel Huisman plays the charming Ellis Jones who perfectly complements Adaline’s character. The chemistry between Lively and Huisman adds a palpable tension and sweetness to their interactions, making their romance the heartbeat of the story. Harrison Ford delivers a memorable performance as William Jones, Ellis’s father, whose own past intertwines unexpectedly with Adaline’s long life, adding layers of nostalgia and serendipity to the tale.
Reviews
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an Audience Score of 67% reflecting a general appreciation for its story and aesthetic qualities, though some critics point out that the narrative sometimes leans into melodrama.
IMDb with over 200,000 reviews from users has rated the film favourably with 7.2/10, often highlighting Blake Lively’s performance as the standout. The film’s romantic and timeless ambience resonates well with viewers, making it a beloved choice for those who are drawn to tales of love.
Trailer
Fun Fact
A captivating fun fact about “The Age of Adaline” is that to achieve the ageless appearance of Adaline, Blake Lively wore no less than 45 different hair styles throughout the film. Each style was meticulously designed to reflect the changing decades, yet maintain a timeless quality that suited her unchanging appearance.
How To Watch The Age Of Adaline
Other Friday Night Movie Recommendations
Other Friday Night movies you might like:
“Edward Scissorhands” – This film, like “The Age of Adaline,” combines romance with a fantastical premise. Directed by Tim Burton, it tells the story of an artificial man named Edward, an unfinished creation who has scissor blades instead of hands. The film explores themes of isolation and the challenges of being different, much like Adaline’s experience with her eternal youth.
“Interstellar” – While primarily a science fiction movie, “Interstellar” also delves deep into emotional and familial relationships, similar to the personal and emotional trials Adaline faces. Directed by Christopher Nolan, the film explores complex themes like time dilation, love, and sacrifice across different dimensions of space and time.
“The Truman Show” – This movie provides a unique take on the idea of a life lived in unusual circumstances. It stars Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank, who is unknowingly living in a scripted world televised as a live show. Like Adaline, Truman deals with the realization of his situation and the profound implications it has on his existence and personal relationships.
Until next week.