“The Age of Adaline” (2015) is a romantic fantasy drama directed by Lee Toland Krieger and starring Blake Lively as Adaline Bowman, a woman who mysteriously stops aging after an accident in the 1930s. The film explores themes of love, loss, and the bittersweet consequences of immortality as Adaline navigates through decades without growing older while keeping her secret hidden from the world. The film also stars Michiel Huisman, Harrison Ford, and Ellen Burstyn in key roles.

Plot Overview

Adaline Bowman is born in the early 20th century and leads a normal life until a freak accident in 1937 changes everything. After a car crash and a lightning strike, Adaline miraculously survives and stops aging, remaining physically 29 years old for the rest of her life. As the decades pass, Adaline remains youthful while those around her age and die, forcing her to live a life of solitude and secrecy. To avoid suspicion, she frequently changes her identity and moves from place to place, avoiding close relationships for fear that someone will discover her secret.

In the present day, Adaline, who now goes by the name “Jenny,” meets Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman), a charming and successful philanthropist who falls in love with her. Despite her reluctance to form attachments, Adaline is drawn to Ellis and begins to open her heart to the possibility of love once again. However, complications arise when she meets Ellis’s father, William Jones (Harrison Ford), who recognizes her as the woman he once loved decades earlier.

Faced with the prospect of her secret being revealed and the emotional pain of watching loved ones age and die while she remains unchanged, Adaline must decide whether to continue running or finally embrace the life—and love—that she has been avoiding for so long.

Key Characters

• Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively): Adaline is the central character, a woman who has lived for over a century without aging. Blake Lively’s portrayal of Adaline captures both the grace and melancholy of a woman who has seen the world change around her while remaining physically the same. Adaline’s internal conflict revolves around her fear of forming relationships due to her inability to age and the toll that immortality has taken on her emotional well-being.
• Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman): Ellis is a kind and passionate man who falls deeply in love with Adaline, unaware of her secret. His sincerity and charm draw Adaline out of her emotional isolation, and he represents a chance for her to finally experience love without fear of the consequences.
• William Jones (Harrison Ford): William is Ellis’s father, and his past connection with Adaline adds complexity to the story. Decades earlier, William had fallen in love with Adaline when he was a young man, and her sudden disappearance left a deep impact on him. Harrison Ford delivers a touching performance as a man who is confronted with the impossible—a woman from his past who appears not to have aged a day.
• Flemming (Ellen Burstyn): Flemming is Adaline’s daughter, who has aged into an elderly woman while her mother remains youthful. Their relationship highlights the bittersweet nature of Adaline’s immortality, as Flemming has lived a full life while her mother has been forced to remain on the sidelines.

Themes

• Immortality and Loneliness: One of the central themes of The Age of Adaline is the burden of immortality. While many might view eternal youth as a blessing, Adaline’s experience reveals the profound loneliness that comes with watching loved ones age and die while remaining unchanged. The film explores how living forever can lead to a life of emotional detachment and isolation.
• Love and Time: The film also examines the relationship between love and time. Adaline’s immortality forces her to avoid romantic relationships, knowing that she will outlive her partners. However, when she meets Ellis, the film suggests that love transcends time and that the heart’s desire for connection can outweigh the fear of loss.
• Identity and Change: Throughout the film, Adaline must constantly change her identity to avoid detection, a metaphor for the ways in which people reinvent themselves over time. Her inability to age symbolizes a form of stasis, while the people around her evolve and grow. The film suggests that change and growth are essential parts of life, even though they can be painful.

Visuals and Cinematography

The Age of Adaline is visually stunning, with rich cinematography that captures the beauty of different time periods throughout the 20th century. The film makes use of lush colors, elegant costumes, and evocative settings to highlight the contrast between Adaline’s timelessness and the world that continues to change around her.

The cinematography emphasizes the passage of time, with scenes that span from the 1930s to the present day. Adaline’s timeless beauty is visually juxtaposed with the aging of those around her, creating a sense of melancholy and nostalgia.

Performances

• Blake Lively gives a nuanced and graceful performance as Adaline, portraying the character’s inner conflict and emotional complexity with subtlety. Her portrayal of a woman who has lived through decades of history without aging captures both the sadness and wisdom of someone who has experienced so much while remaining detached from the world.
• Harrison Ford delivers one of the film’s standout performances as William, whose reunion with Adaline brings up old memories and unresolved emotions. His performance is both touching and heartfelt, adding depth to the film’s exploration of love and loss.
• Michiel Huisman brings warmth and sincerity to his role as Ellis, offering a grounded counterbalance to Adaline’s ethereal nature. His chemistry with Lively helps to drive the emotional core of the film.
• Ellen Burstyn adds gravitas to the role of Flemming, Adaline’s daughter. The dynamic between the two characters highlights the film’s themes of aging and the bittersweet nature of their relationship.

Themes of Timelessness and Moving On

The film explores the idea that while Adaline’s body may remain unchanged, her heart is not immune to the passage of time. The emotional toll of her condition becomes a central point of tension, as she must decide whether to continue living in isolation or embrace the love and life that she has been avoiding for so long. The concept of letting go and moving on is crucial to the story, as Adaline is ultimately forced to confront the idea that living forever may not be as fulfilling as truly living in the moment.

Reception

The Age of Adaline received generally positive reviews, with critics praising the film’s romantic and nostalgic tone, as well as Blake Lively’s performance. While some noted that the plot required a suspension of disbelief, the film’s emotional depth and exploration of its themes resonated with audiences. The film’s unique blend of romance, fantasy, and drama set it apart from more traditional love stories, making it a memorable and thought-provoking film.

Conclusion

The Age of Adaline (2015) is a beautifully crafted romantic drama that explores the consequences of immortality, love, and the passage of time. With a strong performance from Blake Lively and touching moments from Harrison Ford and Michiel Huisman, the film offers a poignant reflection on what it means to truly live. Its themes of love, loss, and the inevitability of change resonate deeply, making it a compelling and emotional experience.