I’ll See You In My Dreams – Available on Digital Download on Monday – Mid-life Crises in Film

After the death of her beloved dog, Carol (Blythe Danner) starts to find the everyday activities that have given her life structure – her regular bridge game, gardening, a glass of wine or two- have suddenly lost their luster.

With the support of her three loyal girlfriends (June Squibb, Rhea Perlman, and Mary Kay Place), Carol embarks on a journey to embrace the world again, by re-connecting with her daughter (Malin Akerman), striking up an unlikely friendship with her pool maintenance man (Martin Starr) and pursuing a new love interest (Sam Elliott).

With friendship, love, and everything in-between, Carol discovers that life can begin anew at any age.

Everyone fears getting older - from your first grey hair to the thought of life without someone you love by your side.

To celebrate the release of I’ll See You in My Dreams, on Digital Download from 22nd February and DVD from 29th February, we rundown our favourite films that explore change in mid-life...

I’ll See You in My Dreams (2016)
Proving that life can begin anew at any age, I’ll See You in My Dreams is a heart-warming coming-of-old age film. After the death of her beloved dog, Carol (Blythe Danner) starts to find the everyday activities that have given her life structure – her regular bridge game, gardening, a glad of wine or two – have suddenly lost their lustre. With the support of her three loyal girlfriends (June Squibb, Rhea Perlman and Mary Kay Place), Carol embarks on a journey to embrace the world again, by re-connecting with her daughter (Malin Ackerman), striking up an unlikely friendship with her pool maintenance man (Martin Starr) and pursuing a new love interest (Sam Elliott).

This is 40 (2012)
Described as ‘the sort of sequel to Knocked Up’, This is 40 is a comedy from award winning director Judd Apatow. Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) are about to turn 40 but instead of celebrating the milestone they’re both stuck in a mid-life crisis complete with unruly kids, debt and unhappiness. Debbie is struggling to come to terms with her ageing body and Pete’s beloved record label is failing. As Pete’s highly anticipated 40th birthday party looms, the couple are going to have to rely on their family, friends and employees more than ever to help them come to terms with life at 40.

Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Cal’s (Steve Carell) life is turned upside down when his wife Emily (Julianne Moore) drops a bombshell - she wants a divorce. Heartbroken and at a loose end, he attempts to rediscover his manhood with the help of his newfound friend and renowned lothario Jacob (Ryan Gosling). Following a makeover and style overhaul and with Jacob’s help, Cal begins picking up women in bars helping him to regain his lost confidence needed to fight to win back his family. The film was released to positive reviews, with Gosling receiving a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.

Lost in Translation (2003)
Directed by Sofia Coppola, this Academy Award-winning classic stars Bill Murray alongside Scarlett Johansson and follows the story of a faded movie star Bob Harris (Murray) and a neglected young woman named Charlotte (Johansson) who form an unlikely bond after their paths cross whilst they are both in Tokyo. Bob has an unsatisfying home life with his wife Lydia following him wherever he goes through the form of messages and faxes. Charlotte, a recent Yale Philosophy graduate, is feeling alone when her photographer husband leaves her to her own devices while he take a job out of the city. Together, Bob and Charlotte, form a bond, neither of them expected. The film earned rave reviews with both Murray and Johansson scooping BAFTA awards for Best Actor and Actress in a leading role respectively

About a Boy (2002)
Adapted from the 1998 Nick Hornby novel of the same name About a Boy stars Hugh Grant alongside Toni Collette, Nicholas Hoult and Rachel Weisz. Hugh Grant plays Will Freeman, a 38-year old slacker who has lived comfortably off the royalties of a song written by his deceased father and never done a hard day’s work in his life. Devoid of any responsibility in life, Will prays on single mothers to meet his selfish carnal needs. It is during his quest to find a single mother that Will meets 12-year old Marcus (Hoult) who without realising it teaches cynical, immature Will how to act like a grown-up for the first time in his life.

American Beauty (1999)
Winner of five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography, American Beauty was a huge hit following its release back in 1999. Starring Kevin Spacey, Annette Benning and Mena Suvari it follows the story of Lester Burnham (Spacey), a sexually frustrated suburban father who has a mid-life crisis after becoming infatuated with his daughter’s best friend (Suvari). The film was directed by Sam Mendes of Skyfall and Spectre fame and was released to critical acclaim.

Mrs Doubtfire (1993)
The late Robin Williams and Sally Field star in this classic Academy Award-winner. Williams plays Daniel Hillard an eccentric young–at-heart actor who specialises in dubbing voices for cartoon characters. Daniel loves and would do anything for his three kids but his wife Miranda (Field) sees him as a bad role model. After an elaborate party for his son goes terribly wrong, Miranda reaches the end of her tether and files for divorce. Things go from bad to worse when Miranda is given full custody of the children and Daniel is only allowed to visit them once a week. Determined to stay close to his kids, Daniel discovers that Miranda is looking for a housekeeper, so with the help of his brother and a make-up artist, Daniel gets the job discussed as Scottish nanny Mrs Doubtfire.

I’ll See You in My Dreams Film Page

I’ll See You in My Dreams is released on digital download on 22nd February and DVD on 29th February. For more information visit Find Any Film.