'The Age Of Adaline' Review: Sluggish pace takes its toll on superb performances

Director: Lee Toland Krieger
Cast: Blake Lively, Michiel Wuisman, Ellen Burstyn, Harrison Ford
Rating: ***

What it's about: Adaline Bowman was born in 1908, we are told. She stopped ageing at 29 after 'dying' in a car accident and being 'resurrected'. All purportedly scientific and everything. She goes about her life all the way till the age of 45, when cops shoot curious glances after looking at her driving licence and the FBI comes calling, ready to fly her off to an undisclosed location, presumably to do tests on her.

Ever since, she keeps her distance from daughter Flemming (from a short-lived marriage to an engineer), who ages naturally and to a ripe old age. Of course, they do meet over the years even as she uproots herself every 10 years with a new identity. 

This arrangement continues, until she runs into Ellis (Wuisman) at a New Year's Eve party. He's besotted, and after some pursuing on his part, she gives in and decides to stop running and live her life normally. But can she afford to give love a chance knowing the pain it will bring?

What's hot: Blake Lively is spot-on as soft-spoken Adaline. She moves through her scenes and lines with such grace, you can't take your eyes off her. Ford, in a small but significant role, effortlessly shows off his mettle. Burstyn (remember her from Interstellar or Requiem For A Dream?), too, with her infectious energy, is superb as Flemming.

What's not: The pace is a little too sluggish for our liking. This film could probably have taken some cues from Benjamin Button on story progression. Adaline is shown running for a little longer than needed. After all, her pursuers would be long dead while she's supposed to be a 100-something. The nostalgia angle is played on for a little too long and is quite sappy, to say the least.

What to do: Given the performances, this should have been a delightful outing. If only, it wasn't so strong on subtlety and so weak on progression.