Boynton Beach Club

REVIEW
Inspired by the sprightly folks in her parents’ active retirement community, director Susan Seidelman (Desperately Seeking Susan, “Sex and the City”) establishes a delightful array of characters who are rediscovering love in the second half of their lives. United by a bereavement club, they overcome their losses in wonderful and unexpected ways. The heart of the story is Marilyn (Brenda Vaccaro), who has lost her husband most recently (and comically), and is just learning to cope. She’s brought to the club by the perpetually youthful Lois (Dyan Cannon), who is just wild and loose enough to woo the much younger (and lower-class) Donald (Michael Nouri). Ladies’ man Harry (Joseph Bologna) has found that bereavement clubs are a treasure trove of prospective ladies – perhaps this is where the Wedding Crashers will be in 30 years. Unfortunately Harry doesn’t quite understand the pitfalls of Internet dating. And then there’s shy Jack (Len Cariou), having trouble coming out of his shell, especially with the beautiful and aggressive Sandy (Sally Kellerman) wooing him hard. Naturally there are plenty of aging and gender-gap jokes that leave audiences roaring, but it’s the very real romantic soul of Boynton Beach Club that truly resonates. Free of all the artificial contrivances and roadblocks that clutter mainstream romances, these rich characters have enough wisdom to not play games of the heart. Their only obstacle to finding love again is themselves.