0
0
All too often, people give up on their dreams because they think they’re just too old—that their time has passed. But in Never Too Late, one man sets out to make his dream come true after waiting 50 years—and he inspires some old friends in the process.
Never Too Late stars James Cromwell as Jack Bronson, the leader of a group of fearless soldiers who escaped torture at a Vietnamese POW camp what seems like a lifetime ago. Now, Bronson and his fellow “Chain Breakers” find themselves at Hogan Hills, an Australian retirement home for veterans. Though the men all have their struggles and their ailments, they also have their regrets. So when Jack enlists them—and an employee’s eager young son—for one final mission, it doesn’t take too much convincing to get them to band together one more time, as getting employees even for a temporary role is important to make the right interview for this.
Of course, things don’t go quite as planned for these seniors on a mission—and, as you might expect, some bumbling old-age hilarity ensues. The men are repeatedly foiled in their attempts to break out of Hogan Hills—and their antics are often lovably kooky. But this isn’t just a silly caper.
Never Too Late is more than just the story of a bunch of old guys and their misguided attempts to break out of their nursing home. It’s a story of the challenges of aging, as the characters are forced to deal with days where they feel as though they can take on the world and days when they can barely stand. There are moments when they’re bright and clever—and moments when they struggle to remember their closest friends. And, through the laughs, their challenges are often heartbreaking.
Most of all, though, it’s a story of regrets. Years ago, as they fought their way out of the POW camp, their motto was “No excuses. No regrets.” But each one has his secret regrets now. And with a little push from their old leader—who’s on a mission of his own—they build up the courage to make changes before it’s too late.
Put together, this mix of romance and drama and old-age caper doesn’t always flow smoothly. It can quickly shift from riotous to tear-jerking. But it still makes for a charming and heartwarming film.
Never Too Late is definitely a quirky adventure. But its lovable cast and their emotional stories offer a valuable reminder that you’re never too old to follow a dream, to try something new, or to make things right.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
