Sunset Story

2003 "They're old, they're bold, and they'll change the way you think about aging."
7.7| 1h13m| en| More Info
Released: 09 October 2003 Released
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Synopsis

The free-spirited denizens of Sunset Hall, a Los Angeles retirement home, haven't let advanced age stand in the way of their voicing their concerns about the social and political topics of the day. Documentary filmmaker Laura Gabbert focuses on two of the facility's more outspoken residents — irascible cynic Irja Lloyd and upbeat, wheelchair-bound Lucille Alpert — as they attend political rallies and discuss their often opposing viewpoints on hot-button issues.

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Reviews

AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks
ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.
Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
Justina The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
Luke Edmunds This story has two lovely elderly ladies that lead great lives and are passionate about their beliefs, yet it is one of the most boring stories ever. If you want to know this story really just go to an old folks home and become friends with elderly people. There really isn't a story and it really isn't a movie. It's a weird reality show about 2 women. At one point they have a conversation in the car about the lunch they had that day... There are some sad times but that happens in life. If you really want to be completely moved by a touching story that will legitimately change your life, watch "About Time" with Rachel McAdams. This is all I have to say and I need to write 10 lines so I will keep going and I know they could deactivate my account or whatever for filling this with junk but I don't care because I don't want someone to sit down for movie night with some popcorn and friends and be completely disappointed in their choice.
dvdgoofball This enchanting and somewhat melancholy documentary chronicling the last stages of life for two elderly women named Irja(81) and Lucille (95 who have become best friends after being placed in a retirement home for aging left wing radicals. Though just as a backdrop, Sunset Hall (the retirement home) provides a unique stage to see how the last years of life for the two women is played out. Sometimes sad, other times so full of joy that you pause while watching considering your own mortality, and the dignity that our elders deserve. Such a stark and real look at our humanity in its last stages that for anyone I think this film is a must see. For me, the funniest portions were watching Irja's upbeat optimism constantly coming in contact with Lucille's dry, cynical eye. Hee larious! Check it out, it's worth watching.
jonboy3000 I stood and applauded along with the packed crowd in the theater. This is by far one of the most touching, heart-felt, nuanced looks at aging, death, life, and the friends we leave behind I've ever seen. What starts off seeming like it's going to be a sort of tongue-in-cheek comedic view of an old folk's home for aging activists, becomes instead a personal story between two elderly friends as they deal with the pains - both emotional and physical - of growing old.And if that turns you off; if you have a picture in your mind that this is going to be a purely weepy, painfully arduous film about old people on the verge of death, you're wrong. There are moments of enlightened humor and brilliance that will make you guffaw out loud. There are inspirational moments that will make you leave the theater wanting to live a fuller life. There are deep moments that have you contemplating your own aging process, as well as your thoughts about what it might be like when you're 75, 85, 95. And yes, there are powerfully, potently sad moments that will have you bawling into your popcorn.It is, in a nutshell (an overly simplified nutshell), sort of a documentary version of "On Golden Pond", full of the same sweet sadness and auld lang syne (sp?), but with a documentary's ability to sweep aside typical heartstring-pulling cinematic manipulation. Yes, Sunset Story uses a score - a deeply emotional piano score - but it serves the story, enhancing the natural drama playing out on the screen without dictating what emotions you should be feeling at what time.This documentary should be seen, far and wide.
MPinkosh This unmissable documentary follows the lives of two elderly leftist women in the run down once-kinder section of Los Angeles, south of Wilshire near the heart of the old Downtown.Founded in 1923, Sunset Hall is a retirement/care home for elderly "free-thinking" people (i.e. old Communists, labor organizers and "lefties") but the setting is simply the prism thru which we follow two amazing ladies, Irja and Lucille. To tell more would be to deprive the viewer of an amazing and touching journey , but this is a heartfelt, clever, hard-edged yet tender piece of film making. Laura Gabbert directs with an unusually disciplined and unsentimental approach. The slow and careful revealing of the relationship between these two women is perfectly balanced and beautifully executed. Shot on video, the technique is such that I was immediately and completely engaged with the people and in their surroundings. I laughed out loud several times and sat weeping as well. A truly exceptional 75 minutes.