Our Souls at Night Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two lonely seniors decide to become sleepover buddies, causing small-town drama and forcing them to confront their pasts… with trains!

🍿 Our Souls at Night: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Proposal for Companionship

In the quiet town of Holt, Colorado, Addie Moore, a widow, seeks to alleviate her loneliness by making an unusual proposition to her neighbor, Louis Waters, also a widower. She asks him to sleep in the same bed with her, not for romance or sex, but for companionship and comfort during the long nights. Louis, surprised but intrigued, considers her offer.

Developing a Bond

Louis accepts Addie’s offer, and their unconventional arrangement begins. Initially awkward, they gradually find solace in each other’s presence, sharing stories, memories, and regrets. Their bond deepens as they navigate the challenges of aging and the lingering shadows of their pasts. Louis confronts the town gossip and his own past infidelity, while Addie grapples with the loss of her daughter.

Family Complications

Their newfound peace is disrupted when Addie’s son, Gene, experiences marital troubles and leaves his son, Jamie, in Addie’s care. Louis steps in to help, forming a special connection with Jamie and providing him with much-needed attention and support. However, Gene disapproves of Addie and Louis’ relationship, creating tension and threatening their happiness.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Addie Moore (Jane Fonda): A widow who seeks companionship by asking her neighbor to sleep in the same bed with her platonically.
• Louis Waters (Robert Redford): A widower and Addie’s neighbor who agrees to her unusual proposition, forming an unexpected connection.
• Gene (Matthias Schoenaerts): Addie’s son who is initially skeptical and resentful of her relationship with Louis.
• Jamie (Iain Armitage): Addie’s grandson who comes to stay with her and develops a bond with Louis.
• Holly (Judy Greer): Louis’ daughter, who has a complicated relationship with her father due to his past actions.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Addie Moore: “Would you be interested in coming to my house sometime and sleeping with me?” – Addie proposes a platonic sleeping arrangement to Louis to combat their loneliness.
• Addie Moore: “I’ve spent my whole life worrying about what people think.” – Addie reflects on her past regrets and the societal pressures she’s faced.
• Louis Waters: “It’s not every day an attractive woman asks you to sleep with them.” – Louis jokes about the unusual proposition, highlighting the unexpected nature of their connection.
• Addie Moore: “Nights are the worst.” – Addie explains her reasoning for seeking companionship at night, emphasizing the loneliness she feels.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Our Souls at Night Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed this film. It was a quiet and thoughtful movie that made me reflect on the importance of connection at any age. The performances by Fonda and Redford were so natural and heartfelt. The train set scene was especially touching, reminding me of simple joys and the power of shared experiences. It’s not an action-packed film, but it’s a beautiful story about finding companionship and dealing with the past.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Robert Redford and Jane Fonda”
  • “Viewers who appreciate character-driven dramas”
  • “Those interested in stories about aging and relationships”
  • “Readers of Kent Haruf’s novels”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Deals with themes of loneliness and loss”
  • “Brief discussion of infidelity”
  • “Mature themes, but generally family-friendly”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “A beautiful film with two great actors acting their age. It’s just a simple, beautiful story. Like real life, no ‘Hollywood’ ending. Just real life.
• IMDb: “Fonda and Redford are perfect for their lonely and flawed characters. What a sweet unfolding of two complex lives that crave connection and love.
• The Guardian: “The last time Robert Redford and Jane Fonda starred together in a movie, The Electric Horseman, I was only a kid but I knew both actors were big film stars. Now in the twilight of their career Redford and Fonda come together in the screen once more in Our Souls at Night and you can sense that these two people are comfortable with each other.

Audience Reactions

The film is a heartwarming story of finding love and connection later in life.: Viewers appreciated the gentle pace, the focus on character development, and the realistic portrayal of aging.

Redford and Fonda’s chemistry made the film a joy to watch.: Many praised the natural and authentic performances of the lead actors, noting their on-screen charisma.

Overall Consensus: A heartwarming and gentle drama that explores themes of loneliness, connection, and second chances, with standout performances from Robert Redford and Jane Fonda.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This was the fourth collaboration between Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, following ‘The Chase’ (1966), ‘Barefoot in the Park’ (1967), and ‘The Electric Horseman’ (1979).”
• “The fictional town of Holt is a composite of three Colorado towns where author Kent Haruf grew up.”
• “The film was shot on location in Colorado, capturing the state’s natural beauty to enhance the story’s setting.”

🖥️ How to Watch Our Souls at Night?

Our Souls at Night is a Netflix original movie, so it is exclusively available on the Netflix streaming platform with a subscription. As a Netflix original, it is highly unlikely to become available for purchase on other platforms such as Prime Video or Apple TV.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Our Souls at Night, you might like these similar films:

• On Golden Pond (1981): Explores themes of aging, family relationships, and finding love later in life with a focus on character-driven storytelling.
• The Leisure Seeker (2017): Another film about an aging couple embarking on a journey of self-discovery and reconnection.
• Amour (2012): A raw and honest portrayal of an aging couple facing the challenges of illness and mortality, emphasizing love and commitment.
• The Straight Story (1999): A quiet film about an elderly man who travels a long distance to reconcile with his brother, focusing on themes of family and forgiveness.

🛒 Our Souls at Night Related Products

• Our Souls at Night [Blu-ray]: A high-definition physical copy of the movie. Includes exclusive bonus content: behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and deleted scenes.
• Robert Redford: The Biography: A comprehensive biography of Robert Redford, chronicling his life, career, and impact on the film industry.
• Jane Fonda’s Prime Time: Love, Health, Sex, Fitness, Friendship, Spirit–Making the Most of All of Your Life: Jane Fonda shares her secrets to living a fulfilling life in her later years, covering topics like love, health, and friendship.
• Lionel Electric O Gauge Model Train Set: Recreate the heartwarming train set scene from the movie. This classic O gauge train set brings nostalgia and interactive fun to movie lovers.

🎧 Soundtrack

Our Souls at Night features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I Don’t Know Why” – performed by Elizabeth McQueen

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Jane Fonda & Robert Redford Reunite | Studio 10

Ever wonder what it’s like when two legendary actors reunite after decades? This Studio 10 interview with Jane Fonda and Robert Redford is a must-watch! Their chemistry is still amazing.

Our Souls at Night – Matthias Schoenaerts as Gene – You’re gonna be OK

Matthias Schoenaerts really shines in this movie. This fan-made video beautifully captures his performance and the emotional core of the film – get ready for some feels!

✨ Rate