ABILENE
You know.... watching this film I’m struck with something. There is an amazing untapped film market for this type of movie.
It’s a story that the silver haired crowd would flock to. A film you can take your Grandparents or parents to. A film that you can all enjoy, but is made specifically for the older set.
I’ve said for years that there is a vast sea of talent that are not on them CAA and ICM ‘lists’. People who would never be asked to STAR in a modern day film. But this is a case of perfection in concept and casting.
ABILENE stars Ernest Borgnine and Kim Hunter... There isn’t a terrible amount to this film, instead it is a story paced for a rural setting, involving folks that don’t move around quite as spritely as they once did. And it’s fantastic for that reason.
The movie is wonderful in that we’re dealing with characters that have lived whole lives, but have overlooked some of the details. It is a film of regrets and of making up for them now that you have them.
It’s quirky, but only in that same way that you often times think your Grandparents are. They are stubborn and funny in their way. Their eccentricities are befuddling. And this film is magic for that reason.
In Mid-America the film would play like no tomorrow. It is a predictable film, we’ve heard the story a billion times, but not quite at this pace... With this much time to contemplate it as it is happening.
The film is also gorgeous and lush. Using what looks like North Texas locations and full wide screen to it’s full advantage, this movie will wrap you around it’s pinky finger.
Sometimes there are films that we watch just to enjoy... and this is a very enjoyable movie. Very very good.
With the studios trying to make films for specific market areas... teen flicks, thirtysomething flicks, ethnically specific films... For me it is odd that they are not really making films targeted for the older set... Then again, they haven’t really been trying it.
Borgnine turns in some of his best work in years as a cantankorous old fart determined to say goodbye to his brother who has had a stroke. With his truck confiscated... he had only his wits to get him where he needed to be with his dignity still in place.
I loved the film. And I truly truly believe there is a market for this film that the typical studio folks won’t be able to see. But there could be an entire ‘Silver Cinema’ movement that would feature actors in their golden years playing out films and stories that.... well we haven’t seen them play.
I hope you get to see this movie, it’s a jewel.
