The Age of Adaline Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Woman gets zapped by lightning, stops aging, and then dates the son of a guy she dumped in the 40s because immortality is, like, *so* inconvenient for romance.

🍿 The Age of Adaline: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Ageless Adaline

Adaline Bowman, born in 1908, experiences a life-altering accident in 1937. A car crash combined with hypothermia and a lightning strike renders her immune to aging. She remains physically 29 years old indefinitely. This extraordinary circumstance forces her into a life of solitude and constant relocation to conceal her secret.

A Chance Encounter

Decades later, in present-day San Francisco, Adaline works at a library and maintains a carefully constructed life, avoiding close relationships. She meets Ellis Jones, a charismatic and persistent philanthropist who becomes fascinated by her. Ellis’s genuine interest and charm begin to break down Adaline’s emotional barriers, sparking a connection she hasn’t felt in years.

Complications Arise

As Adaline and Ellis’s relationship deepens, Adaline becomes increasingly conflicted. She fears exposing her secret and causing pain to Ellis. When Ellis invites her to his parents’ 40th anniversary, Adaline is hesitant, but ultimately agrees. This decision leads to unforeseen complications when she meets Ellis’s father, William.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively): Adaline is a woman rendered ageless after an accident, leading to a solitary life until she finds love and must confront her past.
• Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman): Ellis is a charismatic philanthropist who falls in love with Adaline, reigniting her passion for life but also threatening her secret.
• William Jones (Harrison Ford): William is Ellis’s father and a past love of Adaline’s, whose presence threatens to reveal her ageless secret.
• Flemming (Ellen Burstyn): Flemming is Adaline’s aging daughter, who acts as a confidante and urges her mother to embrace life and love.
• Kathy Jones (Kathy Baker): Kathy is William’s wife and Ellis’ mother, representing the stability and normality that Adaline craves but fears.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Adaline Bowman: “Tell me something I can hold on to forever and never let go.” – Adaline asks Ellis for a sentiment that reflects the permanence she cannot offer due to her ageless condition.
• Ellis Jones: “Let go.” – Ellis responds to Adaline, suggesting that the only constant is change and that holding on can be detrimental.
• William Jones: “I named a star after you.” – Reveals the depth of William’s love for Adaline decades prior, underscoring the enduring impact she had on his life.
• Flemming: “I want you to live your life.” – Flemming encourages Adaline to embrace love and stop running from her past, highlighting their unique mother-daughter dynamic.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $42,629,776
• Worldwide Gross: $65,663,276

💥 The Age of Adaline Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed ‘The Age of Adaline’! I went in expecting a cheesy romance, but I was pleasantly surprised. Blake Lively was amazing as Adaline, I was completely drawn to the role. The flashback scenes were my favorite; they added so much depth to her character. It made me tear up to see the sacrifices she had to make. It was definitely a beautiful and bittersweet movie experience, I’ll watch it again soon!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of romantic dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about immortality and its consequences”
  • “Those who enjoy period films and historical settings”
  • “People looking for a visually beautiful and emotionally engaging movie”
  • “Fans of Blake Lively, Harrison Ford, and Michiel Huisman”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief scenes of peril (car accidents)”
  • “Mature themes related to loss, aging, and mortality”
  • “Some mild language”

Professional Reviews

• ScreenRant: “The Age of Adaline delivers a visually stunning experience, with Blake Lively shining in the lead role. However, the plot relies heavily on convenient coincidences, and the romantic storyline feels somewhat predictable. It’s a beautiful film, but lacks depth.
• RogerEbert.com: “Visually appealing, but the narrative struggles to balance the fantastical element with genuine human emotion. While Blake Lively is captivating, the film’s overall message feels muddled, making it a forgettable romance.
• Rolling Stone: “The film’s premise offers intrigue, but the execution falls short. Lively is luminous, but the supporting characters are underdeveloped and the story never fully explores the psychological impact of immortality. It’s pretty, but ultimately hollow.

Audience Reactions

Blake Lively’s stunning performance captured the ageless elegance of her character.: Viewers praised the beautiful cinematography and costume design, which brought each era to life.

The emotional depth of Adaline’s relationships with her daughter and love interests resonated deeply with many.: Many appreciated the unique spin on the immortality trope and found it thought-provoking.

Overall Consensus: While some found it predictable, most viewers appreciated the film’s beautiful visuals, strong performances, and unique take on the romance genre.

Awards

1. People’s Choice Awards (Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress)- 2016

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The story about the ships beneath San Francisco is true. Hundreds of ships were abandoned during the Gold Rush and now lie beneath the city’s foundations.”
• “Anthony Ingruber, who plays the young William Jones, does a remarkable impersonation of a young Harrison Ford, leading many to believe it was digitally altered footage of Ford himself.”
• “The filmmakers consulted with a medical expert to create a plausible, though fictional, scientific explanation for Adaline’s agelessness.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Age of Adaline?

The Age of Adaline is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Physical copies (DVD and Blu-ray) are also widely available for purchase online and in stores. Some streaming services may offer the film as part of a subscription.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Age of Adaline, you might like these similar films:

• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Features a character aging in reverse, exploring themes of time, love, and the human condition.
• Orlando (1992): Based on Virginia Woolf’s novel, a nobleman lives for centuries, experiencing life as both a man and a woman, challenging conventional ideas about identity and time.
• Forever Young (1992): A test pilot is cryogenically frozen in 1939 and awakens in 1992, searching for his lost love, which blends romance with themes of lost time and rediscovery.

🛒 The Age of Adaline Related Products

• The Age of Adaline [Blu-ray]: Own the timeless love story on Blu-ray with stunning visuals and sound quality. This edition includes behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive interviews with the cast and crew.
• The Age of Adaline: The Official Movie Novelization: Dive deeper into the world of Adaline with the official novelization. This book expands on the film’s story, providing additional insights into her thoughts and experiences.
• Vintage Style Dresses – Inspired by Adaline’s Wardrobe: Embrace Adaline’s timeless fashion with a collection of vintage-inspired dresses, capturing the elegance and sophistication of different eras.
• King Charles Spaniel Plush – Reggie Replica: A cuddly plush replica of Adaline’s loyal companion, Reggie, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Perfect for adding a touch of warmth and companionship to any home.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Age of Adaline features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Since I Don’t Have You” – performed by The Skyliners
• “Auld Lang Syne” – performed by Emil Waldteufel
• “Everyday” – performed by Anna Ternheim

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Blake Lively Fangirled All Over Harrison Ford

Curious to know what happened when Blake Lively met her childhood idol, Harrison Ford, on set? Watch this interview to hear her hilarious story and get some fun behind-the-scenes insights.

Blake Lively Gushes Over Baby James, Talks ‘Age of Adaline,’ and ‘Deadpool’

Want to know more about Blake Lively’s thoughts on ‘Age of Adaline’ and how motherhood has influenced her? Check out this interview for her personal insights and a glimpse into her life as a new mom.

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