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Sunset Story
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Reviews Counted:14
Fresh:13
Rotten:1
Average Rating:7.7/10
Theatrical Release:Feb 25, 2005 Limited
Synopsis: Thwarting a popular misconception about old age, SUNSET STORY tells the tale of two elderly folk who remain sharp and politically charged throughout their twilight years. Filmmaker Laura Gabbert... Thwarting a popular misconception about old age, SUNSET STORY tells the tale of two elderly folk who remain sharp and politically charged throughout their twilight years. Filmmaker Laura Gabbert traveled to a retirement home called Sunset Hall in Los Angeles to find her subjects: Irja Lloyd and Lucille Alpert, who are 81 and 95 years old respectively. Sunset Hall's residents all have a deep interest in politics, resulting in a vibrant community of retired activists who have lost none of their passion and verve for current affairs. Gabbert trains her camera on Irja and Lucille to highlight two typical members of the community, and the couple delight in retelling fascinating tales about their lives. They even express disappointment in their fellow residents at Sunset Hall, whom they castigate for not being quite as up to date on current events as they are. Fortunately Irja and Lucille are more than happy keeping each other company, and Gabbert's film reflects beautifully on two people who are clearly delighted to be caught in the throes of a flourishing friendship. [More]
Starring: Lucille Alpert, Irja Lloyd
Starring: Lucille Alpert, Irja Lloyd
Director: Laura Gabbert
Director: Laura Gabbert
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Reviews for Sunset Story
[Sunset Story] isn't a movie about retired activists. It's a stunning meditation on the battle between mission and mortality.
Sunset Story hardly qualifies as a documentary. It's a home movie, complete with spasmodic editing and silly panning shots, punctuated by mawkish piano music.
That such a place even exists may seem extraordinary, but director Laura Gabbert wisely doesn't trumpet Sunset Hall itself. Instead, her vid-shot docu reveals what a special place this is through the vector of her heroines, Irja Lloyd and Lucille Alpert.
It's the cinematic equivalent of glancing up at the sky and taking a good deep breath.
An extraordinary documentary about the friendship between two activist elders in a Los Angeles retirement community for political progressives.
Irja is as sharp as a tack and Lucille has a wickedly dry wit; spending 75 minutes in their excellent company is a rare privilege.
Gabbert expertly delivers a far more powerful message with honesty, humor and palpable respect.
It's a poignant, realistic depiction of the elderly, far from the typical view of them as quaint and useless.
Laura Gabbert's deeply affecting documentary profiles a pair of extraordinary women who live in a 'nonprofit retirement home for free-thinking elders.'
Besides being funny about themselves and their contemporaries, the women provide a window on the social evolution of the United States over the past century.
Sunset Story offers a touching look at the residents of a special retirement home in Los Angeles.
A wonderful documentary by Laura Gabbert that may make you laugh and cry -- and may change your mind about age and aging.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
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| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
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| 55% 55% | Orphan |
| 43% 43% | The Proposal |
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| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 88% 88% | Ballast |
| 67% 67% | The Merry Gentleman |
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