Late Bloomers (I) (2023) User Reviews (4)

Fine human drama, but not a comedy

[ross_tm · 7/10 · 11 June 2024]

This is a fine drama, that does a decent (if not groundbreaking) job of dealing with such topics as self-exploration and personal growth, responsibility, age, infirmity, and Alzheimer's disease. Ann Gillan is always excellent, though I think the role of "28-year-old American" might have taxed here enough that she wasn't able to bring as much nuance to the role as we know she is capable of. Malgorzata Zajaczkowska has been absent way too long from the US screen, she is a delight.

However -- I can't emphasize this enough -- this is not a comedy. Whichever studio executive decided to classify it as such (including the careful and misleading selection of scenes in the trailers) needs therapy. And if they genuinely thought that it is a dark or black comedy, then they need some remedial time in film school to learn what the terms mean.

So if you're looking for a comedy to watch, by all means watch this interesting and well-acted human drama about some serious themes, but have an episode of Selfie or Coupling on hand to wash it down afterwards and bring you back to a happier place.

Unexpected quirky treat

[panta-4 · 7/10 · 12 June 2024]

Multilayered drama full with emotions that range from humorous, sad, sorrowful to those of unfulfilled love. Karen Gillan as Louise, is a perfect personification of a late 20's lady reeling after a breakup, and whatever happens in the film, she is the centre of the story. You will notice that, as the movie goes on, you find out there's a lot more to her. Heartache that extends beyond a straightforward breakup has impacted her life and everything else is interwoven into it. We are brought into her life and the feelings she has because of her past, helping us to understand her friendship with an elderly woman who speaks Polish only - all this adds quiet emotion to the narrative, but creates simultaneously the subplot to the main story, as well. The unspoken magic of connection between two unlikely characters makes possible for the anxious Louise to teach the old woman Antonina how to move into the future while missing her past. All those characters feel essential to bring every single feeling to life in the numerous film scenes while assembling the puzzle of life full of hidden love.

Dreadful NY drama that tries way too hard to be edgily poignant & heartfelt... but isn't

[danieljfarthing · 2/10 · 13 June 2024]

Dreadful New York drama "Late Bloomers" tries excrutiatingly hard to be a poignant character-study life-lesson on immature hopelessness flourishing heart-warmingly into well-rounded adulthood... but it falls miserably flat. Karen Gillan (a decent actress - woefully overcooking it here) is a self-pitying, aimless, 28 year old whiner who on engaging obnoxious old Polish Malgorzata Zajaczkowska supposedly grows into being a better person. Despite nice support from slow-rising star Jermaine Fowler, respective first-time director & screenwriter Lisa Steen & Anna Greenfield really pooped the bed badly on this turkey. It is a stinking turd. Flush it away.

Fabulous film with lots to take in.

[randyjensen-99359 · 8/10 · 8 June 2024]

This film is emotional, funny, sad, and layered. The main plot is about a woman who is ann emotional wreck due to a breakup. But as the film develops you learn there is much more to her. Her life has been touched by heartache that goes deeper than just a simple breakup. You are brought into her life and the feelings she has because of her past. The sub plot is her relationship with an elderly woman who brings silent emotion to the story. The elderly woman misses her past and learns to move into her future from the main character. Each character plays a critical role in bringing every emotion into each scene. If you speak a bit of Polish than the subtle jokes become more of an inside joke you have with the Polish characters, but don't worry, if you don't, you are filled in at the end.