Summary

Golden Years offers a fresh take on self-discovery in aging, but falls short on diving into deeper truths or realities.
The film conveys universal themes of self-actualization and fulfillment in older characters, celebrating life at any age.
While light and heartwarming, Golden Years misses the opportunity to unpack complex life questions with more depth and realism.

Aging isn’t easy. It’s an experience that brings about moments of deep self-reflection and questioning life’s fulfillment. Golden Years, a Swiss dramedy directed by Barbara Kulcsar, delves into these themes and asks great questions, but never truly gives the best answers. Starring Esther Gemsh and Stefan Kurt, the older couple embark on separate journeys of self-discovery, offering a unique twist on the coming-of-age movie. While heartwarming in its portrayal of underrepresented demographics and universal themes, the film remains light. But it unfortunately misses the opportunity to explore deeper realities and truths which could have been groundbreaking coming from these characters.

Golden Years Amplifies Underrepresented Voices Through Universal Themes

Golden Years deserves recognition and praise for offering a long overdue portrayal of life experiences for those who are in the latter half of their lives. There is a common misconception that people must know themselves fully and understand their life’s purpose by a certain age. Golden Years aims to normalize finding oneself and starting over at any age, as well as embracing unconventionality throughout life’s journey. This is seen through the film’s protagonists, Alice and Peter. Alice is a strong, adventure-seeking woman, while her husband, Peter, has grown comfortable with routine as they’ve aged.

The film aims to validate that it’s normal and okay for long-term partners to veer down different paths in the later chapters of their lives. Additionally, if you are without a life partner in old age, that doesn’t mean you will grow old alone — an important message Golden Years strives to impart. This theme crystallizes when Alice’s friend Magalie suddenly dies, confessing in her last moments about an affair and unfulfilled dreams. This catalyst prompts Alice and Peter’s own self-exploration around living life before it’s too late.

Witnessing this journey through an older character underscores how the keystone themes of self-actualization and fulfillment remain universal over a whole lifespan.

The movie hones in on the idea that as long as you are alive, you are young at heart. Golden Years reminds us that life is for living, dancing, traveling, meeting new people, exploring new creative avenues, and having growth experiences. A pivotal scene shows Alice experimenting with psychedelics for the first time with new friends, opening her mind and catalyzing important self-discovery. Witnessing this journey through an older character underscores how the keystone themes of self-actualization and fulfillment remain universal over a whole lifespan.

The film is an effective coming-of-age tale involving characters in their mid-60s, something that isn’t often seen onscreen. Society often diminishes this stage of life, but Golden Years depicts how core questions around identity, purpose, and fulfillment persist, regardless of age. The notion of one still trying to figure out their identity, even into mature adulthood, is a prevalent theme touched on throughout the film, and it was refreshing to see. There is often a sudden realization that life is short, provoking the question of what one truly wants.

Golden Years Conveys an Important Message
But its neat conclusion overlooks its depth

Golden Years beautifully conveys the age-old dilemma of “what’s next?” However, while the film effectively raises these existential questions about purpose and fulfillment, its lighthearted tone and neat conclusions never truly answer it. The film’s overall tone signals it won’t be diving too deeply into the meaningful themes it introduces, therefore skipping over the ugly truths and reality checks that often accompany transformation. This is fine if you’re only seeking a pleasant diversion, but Golden Years had the potential to really extrapolate on this important topic, and it’s a shame that it doesn’t.

Golden Years stops short of substantially wrestling with the proverbial meaning of life. The film could have peered much deeper, rather than resolving its characters’ journeys in relatively superficial ways. In the end, the movie successfully relays the importance of actualizing oneself, but wraps its narrative up too neatly, bypassing the messier reality of profound reinvention after decades of normalized routines have clouded one’s passions. A key insight, however, is that it’s acceptable if life doesn’t unfold according to societal expectations. Nonetheless, there is ample joy to be found, and every stage of life, regardless of age, is golden.

Golden Years

is now playing in select theaters and will be available on digital March 26.