By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times
As I sat alone in my living room waiting for a movie to start on Netflix, I began to wonder what I would say if one of my sons walked in and saw their 81-year-old father watching a “chick flick” instead of some manly action film.
My cover story was that the movie, “Our Souls At Night”, featured two of my favorite actors – Robert Redford and Jane Fonda – and the subject matter wasn’t that important in my choice.
That white lie reminded me of the time my wife tricked me into taking her to see the second “Mama Mia” movie at a public theatre. I clearly recall entering the theatre and instinctively looking around to see if any other males had been coerced into seeing the same movie.
With all that great singing and dancing about romance on a beautiful island, plus music from ABBA, this was the ultimate “chick flick” or, in other words, a movie targeting females as the primary audience.
Moreover, I was nervous that someone might notice that it was my second time in a week to see the happy frolicking and attempted singing of big-name actors like Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Meryl Streep and others.
But I was ready to defend myself by saying that I only came back to see and hear Cher and Andy Garcia heat up the screen with their scorching duet of “Fernando”, a story song about lovers separated by war for 40 years.
At 72, Cher was nearly as glamorous as ever and her voice was strong yet tender as she sang the lead parts of the song as bearded Andy, looking the part of her Latin lover, helped with the chorus.
As this lonely old widower finished watching that sappy Netflix movie about two even older adults without spouses, I was pleased that Redford and Fonda gave good performances, but the movie was too accurate in terms of the tough challenges faced by old timers seeking companionship in today’s world.(Contact Keith at keithkappes@gmail.com).
