Movie Review: The Age of Adaline

The Age of Adaline, the newest romance drama starring Blake Lively, was released on April 24th of this year and since then has been captivating audiences by drawing them in through emotional heartbreak to the neverending life of Adaline Bowman. Tortured by immortality, Adaline’s body is frozen at just 29 years old. Uprooting her life and moving every decade to avoid confrontation, Adaline lives a lonely existence with the exception of her mortal, aging daughter. That is, until she meets a young, wealthy, and not to mention handsome Ellis Jones, played by Game of Thrones star Michiel Huisman.

Throughout the movie, Hugh Ross narrates the present day life as well as the flashbacks of Adaline Bowman. We are first introduced to Adaline while she is working in a library and right away it is obvious of the lack of relationships she maintains and the manner in which she portrays herself gives away her old age regardless of her youthful appearance. The first flashback occurrence informs us of Adelines condition and how it happened while the other flashbacks that appear throughout the film provide us with insight into Adeline’s earlier life.

In this film, you observe Blake Lively break out of her well-known, spoiled teen role as Serena Vanderbilt from the hit tv series Gossip Girl, that she lived in for over six years. Lively’s performance does her justice as she unveils another side of her acting abilities. Finally, Lively is given the opportunity to thrive in the spotlight and she does not disappoint. Supporting actors, Harrison Ford and Kathy Baker deliver strong performances as expected.

Written by J. Mills Goodloe and Salvador Paskowitz and directed by newcomer Lee Toland Krieger, The Age of Adaline pulls you through the internal struggle Adaline fights as she runs away from the love she desires wholeheartedly, but is incapable of possessing for more than any length of time due to her neverending youth. If you are looking for a romantic movie that pulls on your heartstrings, grab a box of tissues and head to the movies, you’ve found it.