It’s great to see independent movies like this one that spotlight the lives of older people in realistic fashion; contrary to the beliefs of many Hollywood executives, the world does not revolve around the lives of teenagers.  There is nary a teenager to be found in this comic drama.  Yet the premise of I’ll See You in My Dreams certainly could have used an infusion of young energy.

Brett Haley’s film casts Blythe Danner as a widow who, twenty years after the death of her husband, is still alone.  She has female friends — played by Rhea Perlman, June Squibb and Mary Kay Place — and she has a grown daughter, played by Malin Akerman.  And a male dog named Hazel.  But she is still alone, and claims to be comfortable with her very quiet life.  What little plot that meanders its way through this film involves Danner’s interactions with two men: pool boy Martin Starr (he’s in his twenties, living back home with his mother) and retiree Sam Elliott.

Director Haley, who also co-wrote the script clearly loves his characters, yet there is little reason for audiences to share his enthusiasm.  Danner and the other performers deliver solid performances, both comic and dramatic, but this film undermines their efforts much of the time.  Instead of Danner’s character proving to be an independent woman of a certain age who has lived a productive, satisfying life (which is how daughter Akerman describes Danner to herself), she comes across as a woman who is wasting away, spending her time playing cards, watching television and drinking wine excessively.

I think the intent here was to present Danner’s character in a realistic fashion yet still remain upbeat about her life.  My reaction by the end was tinged with melancholy and sadness rather than hopefulness.  She barely has a relationship with her grown daughter; her friends are frivolous; men are a distant memory; she has no career or passionate interests.  She seems capable of so much more, yet she is content to wither away on the vine.  I found the movie ultimately depressing rather than uplifting, and I cannot recommend it on that basis.  ☆ ☆.  10 June 2015.