Never Too Late

Care home Jack Bronson mobilises his friends and former colleagues to escape the confines of the home, and complete a daring mission, a mission that he keeps close to his chest.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, very funny, quite moving, very, very nicely acted, some top notch performances throughout. Plenty of laughs, even daring to make the taboo subject of dementia quite amusing, it actually worked.

All I can say, is that I hope not all Australian care homes are like this one, nasty looking bouncers, staff medicating trouble makers, and barbed wire above the doors.

James Cromwell delivers a knockout performance, what a presence, Dennis Waterman also shows his true class.

Well worth seeing.

8/10.

This is a movie that will particularly appeal to Australians given its cast and setting location. The story is somewhat shallow but it's a fun movie. I think too many times people go to a movie and expect every movie to be a blockbuster. This is certainly not but it's a great date night flick for middle-aged couples glimpse ahead to what life may be like when your mind and body starts to fail. The movie generally is respectful of the ageing population but at the same time highlights the comical moments as well.

What's not to love about a movie with a cast list that includes Oscar nominees James Cromwell, Jacki Weaver; Acting royalty of Jack Thompson, and iconic performers like Dennis Waterman and Roy Billing? Plenty to love, but not much to like. The dialogue; whilst salty and humorous at times, is laughing at old people and the infirm and those with dementia. It depicts nursing homes as prisons and the security as just thugs; whilst the nurses and doctors seem absent or incompetent.

If you leave your brain in another room, this is an enjoyable romp, but make no mistake - it is not art, nor is it a well executed buddy movie, romance or any of the other tropes it seems to be wanting to be. But how many more films will we get to see the great Jack Thompson; the very dignified James Cromwell and the eternally cute Jacki Weaver? Actually i think this is one of Weaver's better performances of late. This and 'Poms' where she gets to either play big and blowsy or quite sweet and poignant as she does here. But the dialogue lets down the group of esteemed actors who barely keep a straight face delivering it! Call me sentimental, but when veteran actors such as these pop up and get a chance to strut their stuff, it is worth checking out. But high art, it ain't. But you will get a few chuckles and maybe reflect on ageing and the elderly.

I took my Grandmother to this film and she had a good chuckle with it. There are a few issues with it. Some pacing problems and logic regarding how nursing homes actually operate come to mind. However it was tender enough and the performances were solid. Jack Thompson actually shined and deserves more comedy roles. It might not be anything memorable (no pun intended) but it is a good way to waste a few hours on a Sunday afternoon.

I loved it. I took my 29 year old daughter. We laughed and we cried. One of the best Australian movies that I have seen. Would have liked my husband to see it too. The highlight for me was Max Cullen. Superb performance.