Yeah, I am the wrong side of 60, but if I had someone like that woman, I could make a go of it!
Funny in parts, sad in others, but I think well worth watching, especially if you think the world will end soon.
I noted the Vegemite in his store room, now that's a man after my own heart! lol
If you are a tidy person or a hoarder, then you may also relate to some of it.
Cheers
Add a Review
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Australian126 August 2019
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FIoret22 August 2019I went into this movie knowing nothing about it except that John and Blythe were starring in it. This is a slow family drama. It's about the obstacles and complications of dating later in life. I really enjoyed this movie. It's quiet and simple. Ole fashion romance movie that lifts the heart.
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js-6613030 July 2019Sap alert: yes this is a geriatric romance of the old fashioned variety, but it has enough little detours to make it work. The exceptional acting from John Lithgow and Blythe Danner doesn't hurt.
As an aging, secretive survivalist know it all, Ed spends most of his time on conspiracy internet boards, that is until he spies Ronnie at the local grocery store. Courting ensues, with all the magic and hurdles that come with any relationship.
Turns out there's more than one secret to be revealed which threatens a future for these lonely souls, and though the plot line is paint by numbers, there's a sweet innocence that saves this film. A bit of an unexpected ending helps wrap the whole thing up with a lovely bow.- hipCRANK
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Ali_Bayati23 August 2019The movie starts with some scenes showing us the boring life of an old man. Ed (John Lithgow) is one of those old men in his wrong side of his 60s as he claims it who are proud of themselves for knowing how to use the technology & internet. He lives alone & he watches tv news everyday for a particular reason which we'll understand later in the movie. In the intro we see Ed talking on the phone with his son Brian (Derek Cecil) & complaining to him about how he always wastes his time & that he should be prepared for the unknown future.
As the story goes on he starts to like an old lady. He finds a way to make her notice him & he's as clingy as a teenager in his way. Ronnie (Blythe Danner) had a hard time in which she had lost her young daughter because of a rare disease & also her husband died of a cancer. They start liking & trusting each other & they both have a secret which later they reveal those to each other.
Ed is a man in control of everything & he knows what to do next but as the relationship progresses, he begins to feel the vicissitudes. Noble Jones did an impeccable job in writing & the screenplay seems so interesting. I highly recommend this movie if you wanna see a peaceful movie. -
cekadah13 October 2019John Lithgow, and Blythe Danner gave their all in creating these two oddball characters - Ed and Ronnie. But their efforts just can't save this film. I enjoyed the plot but I just couldn't believe in Ed and Ronnie. For their age they come across as just a bit too simple.
The most interesting character is the goth girl that runs the curiosity shop! And she is seen only briefly.
But this is not a bad movie! -
TxMike2 November 2019My wife and I watched this at home on DVD from our public library. We enjoyed it, the two main characters are near our own ages and we could relate to their peculiarities, although neither of us share their outlooks.
The movie is called "Tomorrow Man" because John Lithgow as Ed believes the world is screwed up and it is only a matter of time before his town will be raided and taken over by a foreign power. So he has build a secret room in the back part of his home and has stocked it for survival for when the time comes. His home is neat and clean and he spends regular time watching news and on internet discussion groups of like-minded people.
The movie was filmed in the upstate New York town of Lyons, about an hour west of Syracuse and population near 5000. One day he notices a lady at the store ahead of him in the checkout line, Blythe Danner as Ronnie. As they begin to go on dates she asks if they can go to his house, we eventually find out why, she is a really bad hoarder.
So these essentially opposites are bound to influence each other to look at their beliefs and habits and begin to consider modifications. For Ed it is a giant yard sale, convinced that instead of always living for the tomorrow crisis that may never come, he should live for the present.
Both actors are in fine form creating very believable characters. The last 30 seconds are a surprise, reminding me of the end of "Fight Club".
Interesting movie, a bit better than its current IMDb rating would suggest. -
prberg25 June 2019After seeing the trailer.. this looked really good. Unfortunately it really just isn't. Main actors are great, but the rest is just not good. Script and the way the story is told just doesn't come together. Was just not worth the time. I wish it was a better movie. Didn't really take advantage of the great lead actors they had on this movie. Thumbs down unfortunately.
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ferguson-613 June 2019Greetings again from the darkness. Noble Jones worked as the second unit director on David Fincher's award-winning film THE SOCIAL NETWORK (2010), and he has made quite a name for himself in music videos and commercials. This is his first feature film as director and he also wrote this interesting and original script. On top of that, he cast two premier veteran actors to bring the story to life: John Lithgow and Blythe Danner. At times it feels like we are watching a masterclass in acting and many of their scenes together have a live theatre feel.
Ed (Lithgow) and Ronnie (Danner) cross paths at the local grocery store where they each shop at an alarmingly frequent rate. It turns out Ed is preparing for doomsday and Ronnie is hoarder. As they spend time together, their fondness for each other grows, but we are never really sure if it's loneliness or connection that inspires the relationship between these two oddballs.
Despite both having a very serious approach to life, there are many moments of levity and sweetness, but also doses of reality that keep us off-balanced - just as life tends to. Ed proclaims the world would be such a disaster with ball bearings ... of course his view is a bit skewed since he spent 17 years on the business. Ronnie is brave enough to attend Thanksgiving dinner with Ed at his son's house, and the explosive family dynamics drive home the challenges of co-existing with others at any age. Many of us have family members that comfortably fit into either Camp Ed or Camp Ronnie.
Ed tells the new checkout clerk that it's "good to know your neighbor. You never know when you'll need them." His preparations for doom and gloom ... or as he calls it, SHTF ... are offset by Ronnie's sweetness, and a yard sale leads to the surprise ending. I originally saw this at the 2019 Dallas International Film Festival, and it's always a pleasure to welcome a new talented story teller to the cinematic world. Additionally, watching two talented actors play off each other is usually worth the price of a ticket, and as an added bonus, filmmaker Noble has finally found a good use for the song "Muskrat Love". -
"The Tomorrow Man" brings the story of Ed and Ronnie. As the movie opens, we get to know Ed, as we seem him in his home, alone, talking to his grown-up son on the phone (more like giving a monologue to his son), watching the news, and visiting conspiracy chat rooms. Then one day at the grocery store, he notices a nicely older lady, and before we know it, he is asking her out for a cup of coffee... At this point we are 10 min. into the movie but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience , you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.
Couple of comments: this is the feature-length debut of writer-director-photographer Noble Jones. Here Jones brings a romance between 2 people "on the wrong side of 60", according to Ed ("There is no wrong side of 60!", reacts Ronnie). But more importantly these two couldn't be more different from each other: he is a guy who always worries about tomorrow, and hence cannot live in the moment. She on the other hand doesn't worry too much about anything. Potentially good premise, and then what? The... pretty much nothing, as it turns out. By the time we hit the hour mark, it feels like the movie should about end, and in a desperate movie, Nobles add an entire side story about Ed's son Brian and his family, which eventually goes poof! Thankfully we have two veteran performers in the lead role who seem to relish this and do the best they can with the material they are given. Kudos to Blythe Danner and John Lithgow (whom we just recently saw in "Late Night", albeit that was a much smaller role).
"The Tomorrow Man" premiered at this year's Sundance film festival to ho-hum reaction. It opened this weekend at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati. The Sunday matinee performance where I saw this at was attended ok but not great (exactly 10 people, including myself), and mostly seniors I might add. Most of them seemed to thoroughly enjoy the film, laughing loudly on a number of times. If you are a fan of John Lithgow or Blythe Danner, I encourage you to see this out, be it in the theater, on VOD, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion. -
Intermissionman_1 June 2019The main reason I go to see Films is to get away from things for a couple hours and try and put myself in the shoes of the Story. This Film is a perfect one to do that with. So instead of work today, I jumped on my Bike and pedaled to the Cinema. Have been wanting to see this Film as I read some of the publicity for it and am big Fan of both the lead actors and have seen a Ton of their Films. John Lithgow and Blythe Danner Star as Ed Hemsley and Ronnie Meisner fictional characters created by Writer Director and Director of Photography NOBLE JONES. Ed and Ronnie are both on the wrong side of 60 and meet at the Grocery Store. I recommend you watch the Trailer NOW and see if this appeals to you. If so all you gotta do is put yourself in Ed and/or Ronnies Shoes and this story will wash away a Bad Day. On a personal note I am about half way thru the Masterclass online with Director Ron Howard which I also recommend, as it is an indepth class on how to bring a Story to Life on Film. Listening to Him teach his Craft is Deep. Ironically rode by a Yard Sale on the way Home and thought of how a scene could be shot.
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jim-554-3349459 February 2020The acting was well done; happy to see older actors getting roles, the story was pleasant. And then the end came...WTF are you kidding me?!
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incredingo-3776921 August 2019I really liked this movie. it explores the personalities really well. it is relaxing and a feel good movie. some people don't like the ending but i thought it was a nice touch. the acting is excellent. story line very good. time well spent.
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srobertson-751034 March 2020Sweet movie about an elderly couple with their own set of insecurities and obsessions. It was a little refreshing to watch an entire movie without all the vulgarity that is used in so many other films as part of the shock value. This wasn't the fastest moving film, but the acting was good and I'd say they portrayed this particular generation accurately. I used to work with the elderly and much of this was spot on. I wish the ending had a few more details, but I think I got the main idea. Not the best movie I've every seen, but it was still worth the time.
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"The Tomorrow Man" is one sweet heartfelt drama that touches you proving that life is unexpected and unpredictable and as things come change happens. Ed Hemsler(John Lithgow) is a tuna shopping supermarket Ford driving set in his ways old man who obsesses about the future and the end of time by watching newscast of his ex wife anchor who speaks to his mind in a silent way. Then one day a new chance and hope comes in the form of Ronnie(Blythe Danner) an old lady who's fine she's just not organized. Now unexpected things happen in life for Ed proving that he should live in the moment and not worry about the future. Overall okay film of hope, chance, that's a in depth spin on life and how that it changes with uncertainty.
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sandbee17 March 2020The only thing I knew before watching this movie was that John Lithgow and Blythe Danner were in it. At first it was a little slow and draggy but then Ed (Lithgow) starts interacting with Ronnie (Danner) and it picks up. His relationship with his son needed a lot of work and the viewer can clearly see what is wrong between them and what each needs to do - but they've been fighting for so long that it's just become the norm. Slowly, things change between Ed and Ronnie and Ed and his son. I liked it a lot - it would be a good movie to settle on the couch with a cup of coffee or tea and just enjoy it.
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KenW-318 April 2020I expected more from a movie with two exceptional actors. Unfortunately it was boring, weak and shallow. Time I can't get back.
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Phillip_Tomasso15 January 2021The movie stars John Lithgow and Blythe Danner. The reason I wanted to watch and discuss this movie is simple. Back in 2017 I was driving down Spencerport Road, and I passed a small grocery store. The Gates BigM. The parking lot was roped off. An old baby blue pick up truck, and a tiny sedan were parked side by side near the main road.
That wasn't the interesting part. The interesting thing was the movie camera on wheels following actor, John Lithgow from the truck up to the store's entrance - and the group of people wearing headsets behind the man filming the scene.
I pulled into the Tim Horton's across the street and watched some of this movie being filmed. Turns out John Lithgow -- who has won Tony's, Emmy's, Golden Globes, and Screen Actor Guild awards -- was born in Rochester, NY. Where I live. Where the Gates' Big M is located. Other local locations were also shot in the Rochester area, including a booth scene in Rorhbachs on Buffalo Road. It's hard not to get a little more excited, and feel a certain sense of pride when a motion picture is filmed in your old neighborhood.
With both a degree from Princeton, and Harvard, John Lithgow has made quite a name for himself, and over the decades has had quite the acting career.
Co-starring with John Lithgow is the still lovely, Blythe Danner, who is currently 77 years old. This actress has always reminded me of my Aunt Maryjean - on my mother's side. Same mannerisms and general appearance. If you knew my aunt, you would agree. And if you don't, you are just going to have to take my word on it.
Danner began her acting career fifty years ago, in 1970 - the year I was born. She was nominated for Best Supporting actress in a comedy for her role in Meet the Parents with Ben Stiller, as well as receiving nominations for The Last Kiss with Casey Affleck, and for Best Actress in I Will See You In My Dreams with Martin Starr and Sam Elliot.
Ok. The Tomorrow Man, at 94 minutes, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2019 and had a limited US release in May that same year. The movie brought in 350K at the box office, but kind of got dismissed as medicore on IMdB (the independent movie database), and less than mediocre on Rotten Tomatoes.
The romantic drama was both written and directed by debut writer and director Noble Jones. The tag line for the film says it all. It reads: Ed spends his life preparing for a disaster that may never come, Ronnie spends her life shopping for things she may never use. The two will try to find love.
It is a perfectly laid out - opposites attract - idea that gets kind of marred by Lithgow's character Ed Hemsler. I believe Lithgow did the best he could with the script he was given. The issue comes from the idea that Ed is a 75 year old who behaves like a cross between Sheldon from Big Bang Theory and Raymond Babbitt from Rain Man.
Somewhat infatuated with Ronnie, Ed more or less follows her while she is shopping, and to where she works. He begins awkward conversations and eventually asks her out on a date. As a Doomsday Prepper, he is positive Ronnie feels the same way. He has carefully watched her buying items at the Big M, always paying with cash -- yes, he is convinced she is on the same page he is on when it comes to preparing for the end of the world (and the inevitable apocalypse in between).
Ronnie's past, and her shopping habits are not tied to Doomsday Prepping at all. She is worried once Ed sees the way she lives her life, the two will have nothing left together.
Ed has his secrets, secrets he kept from his son but worries about sharing with Ronnie. The last thing he wants is for her to think he is crazy.
As the two explore the truths behind each other's pasts, they increase the chance of growth as an aged couple still anxious to find true love and potential happiness.
There is a most awkward and amusing sex scene that has little to do with the characters, and everything to do with the setting and place. And one of the worst scenes takes place while they are driving in that beautiful vintage baby Blue Ford -- and Ed wants to confess his true feelings (Here is where Sheldon and Raymond possess the body of John Lithgow as he pulls to the curb and goes running off into the fields).
Despite that breakdown, and some of the over-the-top dialogue, I found myself enjoying the building of the quirky and unusual romance. Like I said, I judge a movie by the time spent playing on my phone while watching the picture.
I did not play with my phone at all. With that being said, I also agree with 5.7 out of 10 Stars found on IMdB. It is a fair rating for a mid-list film. You may not love it, but I don't think viewers will hate it, either.
I'm Phil Tomasso, and this has been a Rewind Movie Review.
I hope you stop back often, subscribe, bookmark, and tell your friends - if they want in-depth, honest information on a film, there is only one place to get it. -
telecashcard30 August 2019I love John Lithgow - no other actor can portray confusion quite like he does - but I was doing my best John Lithgow impersonation while watching The Tomorrow Man - odd - to say the least
There is a nice little reference to the Twilight Zone which I found quite amusing - and if you are a fan of Lithgows & Twilight Zone - you will recall his brilliant performance in Nightmare at 20,000 Feet
Other than that - for 95 minutes of awkward weirdness you can knock your self out with this forgettable piece of garbage - and there is alot of that in this movie
Footnote - I found this reviewers comments as strange as the movie
CONTENT ADVISORY: Occasional conversational foul language, occasional cigarette smoking by a secondary character, Ed offering Ronnie alcohol & other beverages when she first comes to his house & she chooses to have water, champagne with the family Thanksgiving meal, a heated argument with yelling during the meal followed by the granddaughter running away from the neighborhood, one incident of Ed low speed wreckless driving, heavy kissing with strong insinuation of intercourse & Ed waking up the following morning at Ronnie's house.
Dude - you need to get more LOL - this is the most harmless and tame movie EVER !!!! btw -
ksf-223 February 2023Ed (lithgow) is a doomsday prepper. And has an awkward first meeting with ronnie (danner) at the supermarket. And an awkward second meeting too. She's lost a couple family members, so she has her own issues to deal with. This starts quite slow. And stays stuck in first gear for a while. But an hour in, things really get going when ed has an attack and lands in the hospital. Clearly, they both have their quirks and odd habits. Can they peacefully co-exist? A very simple story. And the ending was cute but will be less than satisfying for some. It's okay. I like both lithgow and danner, so we can forgive a lot. Written and directed by noble jones, who has directed a whole lot of music videos.
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This movie is horrible! So depressing and lackluster. There is no chemistry between the two leads. Absolutely NONE. The movie never goes anywhere. You keep waiting for it to go somewhere...and then you feel so disappointed. I don't care that this about two seniors. That doesn't bother me. If the writing is good...that's all that matters. I laughed all the way through Grumpy Old Men parts one and two! But that's because the characters in those movies actually seemed like REAL PEOPLE. Not pathetic cliché's of what someone thinks old people act like.
Why does the character of Ronnie have ZERO PERSONALITY? What is wrong with her voice? Why is it so weak and croaky sounding? I'm sorry, but she seems like a total wash-out. She has no interests or hobbies or opinions or charm or ANYTHING! (And her fashion sense is atrocious)...like an old lady from sixty years ago, maybe.
There is no plot. No chemistry. No good character development. Very little humor, once you get past the beginning. No suspense. And why is John Lithgow's cliché of a family tossed in like that? It's such bad writing, that it's cringe-worthy.
I'm sorry. I really wanted to like this movie. I think there should be movies about people of all ages in our society, I really do! But why do the movies about older people have to fall so flat....like day-old soda? What makes John Lithgow's character think there is going to be an apocalypse, anyway? That is never even explored! And wouldn't Ronnie want to know WHY he thinks the world is about to come to an end? Why doesn't she ask the normal questions a person would ask? -
tonycampanella22 July 2019I saw this at Sundance 2019. Cute movie. Entertaining. One of the best final 30 seconds of a movie you'll ever.
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durham10024 February 2021I thought this was wonderful. It never lagged and the story evolved beautifully. Two fantastic leads. it was sad, funny and kept you thinking with some lovely twists - not least the ending which I have to admit i did not see coming at all and made me laugh out loud as well as gasp. An intelligent yet fun movie, story rich and well worth your time.
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Wilsoncpu-605-4740042 November 2020Inoffensive, sometimes charming, sometimes infuriating for most of its runtime. Near the end, a real difficulty is raised: one characters hoarding obsession. In real life, people have been so addicted to hoarding that they have lost custody due to their lack of self-control. That makes this thread a possibly intriguing path. Unfortunately, as soon as the real difficulty is raised, the director ends the movie in as stupid, arch, and "ironic" way as humanly possible. Yes, I saw where "fantastical" elements were introduced before, but those were signaled as dream sequences, thus setting up the rules for the audience. Meaning that the audience is meant to take the ending as LITERAL in the movie. Which makes it, again, stupid, arch, and "ironic" in the most heavy-handed manner possible. I give the rest of the movie 6 stars, the end 0. Weighted for run time on one side and import on the other (the END is the most critical part of any liner work of art), 4 stars.
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bbqduke5 September 2019Loved the movie. Wonderful acting, you feel you know these people.
However, if the final 30 seconds could be removed, it would have been a much better movie.