By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.25 cats
Director: Lance Oppenheim
Country: united_states
Year: 2021
Running time: 81
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11358166/reference
Chris says: “This deadpan look at The Villages, a massive retirement community in central Florida that’s also a town in itself (home to more than *130,000* residents) is one of the more entertaining documentaries I’ve watched in some time. Whereas filmmaker Lance Oppenheim could’ve easily satirized or put down the absurdities of what is essentially Disneyworld for Seniors, his approach is one of cool but considered observation, often keeping the camera static and just letting the action unfold.
“If the subjects he narrows in lean towards the sensational (like 81-year-old Californian transplant Dennis, who lives in his van seeking a sugar Mommy), all is balanced out with Barbara, a skeptical widower from Massachusetts looking for companionship as well but also a sense of purpose in this cultivated environment. The Villages itself is such a fascinating example of artifice made ‘real’ that it’s a wonder why it took so long for anyone to make a film like this about it. 4.5 cats
“(Currently available to stream on Hulu and rent on Amazon and other platforms.)”
Diane says: “In the first ten minutes of this doc about a retirement ‘village,’ I wanted to move there! Then I expected a satirical entertainment. What SOME KIND OF HEAVEN actually does is follow the traumatic struggles of three seniors, who could be living anywhere. Anxiety is heightened by the excellent editing and camerawork, especially the close-ups. A one-of-a-kind film. 4 cats.
“Thanks for the rec, Chris. Seen on Hulu.”
Thom says: “A strong 4.5 CATS for me, I nearly lost track that it was a documentary.”
Michael says: “I think I’m a bit tougher on docs than many of you, and while i did find SOME KIND OF HEAVEN well-made and entertaining, it didn’t capture me the way it seems to have others. I will say, as Chris mentioned in his review, Boston-transplant, Barbara holds the whole film together for me For Lance Oppenheim’s first feature doc, and with the production muscle of Darren Aronofsky, SOME KIND OF HEAVEN starts out as seemingly an ad for a city-sized retirement community in Central Florida, Billed as the Disneyworld for Seniors, anything you could possibly want or need is available to you at The Villages. The film soon reveals it true storyline, as we focus on four older adults, and the individual struggles they each face. These stories are told in the context of The Villages, but they should resonate strongly for anyone.
“Strangely enough, as I write this review, and with a little distance, I’m finding I remember the doc more fondly that I thought. Beleaguered couple Reggie and Ann Kincer must deal with possible mental illness, or possibly the effects of loneliness enhanced by mind-altering drugs in a storyline that really just reinforces the challenges of maintaining a loving relationships over decades. The afore-mentioned Barbara tells the difficult story of starting over again as an older adult after your partner dies. Finally, con-man, lotahrio Dennis Dean faces his twilight years when his youthful antics and wiles are no longer so effective. Definitely worth a watch, and made with good humor and good heart. 4 cats“