Our Souls at Night Netflix Movie Review

Our Souls at Night (2017)

Watch Our Souls at Night on Netflix // Read the novel 
Written by: Kent Haruf, Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber
Directed by: Ritesh Batra
Starring: Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, Bruce Dern, Judy Greer, Matthias Schoenaerts
Rated: TV-MA

Plot
A neighboring widower and widow having lived next door to each other for years, begin a relationship.

Verdict
This has a very narrow focus, exploring the dating dynamics of a septuagenarian couple. This is a relationship built on compassion and loneliness, not desire. It's a well executed movie, but it's not a premise will clamor to see. The characters are explored well as they encounter their children's reactions and the small town pitfalls, but fans of Redford and Fonda aren't the same segment that predominantly uses Netflix.
It depends.

Review
Redford and Fonda previously collaborated on The Chase (1966), Barefoot in the Park (1967), and The Electric Horseman (1979). They both bring a lot to the screen as it's difficult to divorce who we perceive them to be in their movies with who they are in this movie. We know they've reached the twilight of their careers. He was 80 and she 78 while filming this.

It's is a small story that jumps right into it. Addie (Jane Fonda) asks Lewis (Robert Redford) to stay the night in her bed. It isn't a sexual thing, she's just lonely. Both their spouses have passed some time ago. The compact premise isn't a bad thing as this examines loss, loneliness, and dealing with past demons. They start spending time together out of loneliness. It's refreshing that a love story isn't centered around passion and arousal. The relationship progresses as they get to know each other, recounting their lives and what they've done, not what they want to do with their lives.

So many moments it captures really well, like Lewis's friends and the dynamic with the children. Lewis's breakfast with other guys his age is something I've seen in real life frequently. They joke about his relationship and he leaves, desiring not to discuss it. He's afraid people will talk. Addie's son doesn't approve of it, and we discover Lewis has a past that despite the decades, hasn't been put to rest. Even septuagenarians can be gossipy.

There's a plot line with Addie's grandson that unpacks more of Lewis's back story. Who he is has been built on his past mistakes. This isn't a happily ever after ending, but it's a satisfying conclusion all the same.