Boy, was I wrong

Rating: 7/10 (15 April 2013)

I really didn't expect to like this movie. I didn't particularly like the cast, particularly Ryan Gosling and James Garner. And I sort of expected it to be a juvenile tale of young love.
Well, it is a tale of young love, but told in a very mature manner...and in a way that shows that all endings are not happy...yet in their own way can be fulfilling. And that alone earned it some extra stars in my eyes.
As time has gone by, I've begun to realize that I have to re-examine Ryan Gosling. He's not an actor I want to like, and I'm not enamored with several of the films he's selected, but every time I've watched one of his films, I've been impressed. And as much here, as anywhere.
I was also not very familiar with Rachel McAdams...but wow! She's tremendous as the young seventeen year old girl! I never cared much for James Garner...oh, an occasional role here and there. In this film he was charming, and perfect for the role as the story teller. But...I did have a little difficulty seeing him as the old Ryan Gosling...physically I can see no resemblance whatsoever. That was distracting.
I have never seen Gena Rowlands (as the old lady) more beautiful and poignant. Joan Allen is, in my view, a much underrated actress, and I wish we saw much more of her. More and more I see James Marsden as a dependable "sleeper" of an actor whom I respect. The one real casting error, from my perspective, was David Thornton, whom I just can't see as the father of the young lady.
A remarkably good and sensitive film. Highly recommended, and I bet it's found a spot on many a home's DVD shelf.