My Favourite Films About Seniors of All-Time

Not many characters attract audiences to theatres like seniors. Since the 1970’s, senior citizens have appeared in unforgettable movies. Whether it’s aging gangsters, forgetful fathers or retired hotel visitors, the genre has created many characters. Given the sheer number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about seniors that deserve to be celebrated.

1. The Father

Memory loss is a painful process that causes seniors to face stress. I recall with nostalgia fond memories of a great grandma that suffered from grim Dementia. Over the last few years, I noticed my grandmother becoming forgetful. She would often have the bad habits to forget certain crucial things in her life such as places, events and people that were important. No matter how hard she tried, my grandmother couldn’t remember important things in her life that had once given her pride. It was heartbreaking watching my grandmother losing memory. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the big impact of memory loss on seniors that face disaster as powerfully as “The Father”. Ever since since its release in 2020, Florian Zeller’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about senior communities. With the greatest film of his career, Florian Zeller used innovative cinematic techniques to capture impact of memory loss on seniors facing despair. Zeller effectively used unreliable narration to capture the deteriorating mind of a father facing memory destruction. For instance, the scene where Anthony breaks down crying in the hospital becoming aware that he suffers from Dementia is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Anthony Hopkins, who embodied a senior with severe memory loss. Ultimately, what makes “The Father” my favourite film about seniors of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about the senior community which are targeted towards a small audience, it tackles bold themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about memory loss which would resonate with everyone. A dazzling depicting of Dementia causing seniors to face trauma, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that has made great movies which are worth seeing in the Cinema.

2. The Irishman

Aging has a negative impact on seniors’ well-being. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a grandpa that adored Cinema. However, aging ended our relationship. Adopting a negative attitude, he lost interest in activities he once valued. After reaching the age of retirement, my grandfather lost his short-lived love of entertainment. As someone treasuring a grandfather that faced aging causing health deterioration, I loved “The Irishman”. Released in 2019, Martin Scorsese’s movie captured the lives of aging gangsters facing tragedy. Martin Scorsese has always had an aptitude for making movies about aging, and “The Irishman” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Scorsese effectively used voice-over narration to capture the life of a senior facing aging destruction. For instance, the scene in which Frank confesses his sins to a priest after killing Jimmy Hoffa causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Robert De Niro, who embodied an aging senior facing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “The Irishman” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about aging which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of frightening hardships that aging gangsters face, it’s a profound reminder of a genre that has made movies which audiences embrace.

3. Gran Torino

Grumpy seniors have shaped my identity. At an early age, I formed a strong friendship with an old uncle that was prone to fits of rage. He was always in a foul mood taking out his anger on people in ways which were rude. It was always challenging interacting with a grump senior that was aging. As someone treasuring fond memories of a grumpy senior I met several years ago, I adored “Gran Torino”. Released in 2008, Clint Eastwood’s movie captured the lives of grumpy aging war veterans. Eastwood has always had an aptitude for making movies about senior communities, and “Gran Torino” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Eastwood uses captivating montages capturing an aging veteran mistreating his neighbours in ways that are demeaning. For instance, the scene in which Walt warns intruders to get off his lawn causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Clint Eastwood, who embodied an aging senior that feels misunderstood. Ultimately, what makes “Gran Torino” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about racism which would resonate with everyone. A phenomenal portrait of aging seniors facing sorrow, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies giving audiences dreams to follow.

4. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Travelling can be a hard activity for seniors that are aging. Several years ago, my grandparents once loved visiting the city of Toronto. I fondly recall with nostalgia fond memories of my grandparents that always enjoyed visiting Canada. However, age has become a barrier. As my grandparents began aging, travelling became challenging. As someone treasuring grandparents that once loved to tell stories about travelling, I loved “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”. Released in 2011, John Madden’s movie captured hardships faced by senior communities that travel. Madden uses captivating montages capturing seniors with a love for travelling. For instance, the scene in which Douglas and Evelyn first visit the hotel in India is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Judi Dench, who embodied an aging woman with a love for travelling. Ultimately, what makes “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” a classic is its message. The film delivers a great message about the value of travelling that would resonate with everyone. As beautiful as the Marigold hotel, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre with timeless stories to tell about downtrodden seniors that leave audiences in a spell.

5. A Beautiful Mind

Schizophrenia is a complex disorder that fascinated my teacher. In high school, I formed strong bonds with a professor interested in a disorder which was cruel. He sought to educate students about an illness causing lives to deteriorate. As someone recalling a teacher fascinated with a disorder affecting the mind, I adored “A Beautiful Mind”. Released in 2001, Ron Howard’s biopic depicted the life of an aging mathematician. Howard used stunning unreliable narration to capture the anxiety faced by an aging mathematician. For instance, the scene in which an aging John Nash delivers an inspiring speech after being awarded the Nobel Prize in America is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from Russell Crowe, capturing a commemorated mathematician that achieved fame years ago.  Ultimately, what makes “A Beautiful Mind” a commemorated masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a heartbreaking message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with John Nash’s theories to appreciate it. A breathtaking tribute towards a mathematician with a beautiful mind, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated genre that has produced one-of-a-kind movies about downtrodden senior communities leaving a legacy behind.

6. Up

The lives of seniors facing tension are commonly depicted in animation. Animation is a great genre that has often depicted the lives of seniors facing a dilemma. The strength of animated movies capturing the lives of seniors looking up is clearly evident in the movie “Up”. Released in 2009, Pete Docter’s movie used stunning animation to capture an aging senior facing tension. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Up” stand out is its stunning animation. Docter uses captivating animation to capture the life of a senior with severe depression. Assisted by Edward Asner who is amazing in the lead role, Docter created an animated movie about seniors that’s compelling. An uplifting animated portrait of seniors that are conflicted, it’s an unforgettable reminder of a genre that has made captivating movies which deserve to be appreciated.

7. Scent of a Woman

Blindness is a complex condition rarely depicted in movies with respect. A tragic subject, blindness is seldom depicted in movies in ways which are realistic. In an industry that has often avoided depicting blindness causing destruction, its worth praising “Scent of a Woman”. Released in 1992, Martin Brest’s movie captured hardships aging blind veterans go through. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Scent of a Woman” stand out is its depiction of blindness. Brest effectively uses montages to capture the strong bond between a caretaker and blind veteran. Assisted by Al Pacino is who is amazing in the lead role, Brest created a portrait of senior blind citizens that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of blindness, its a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made great movies raising awareness for a complicated illness.

8. The Notebook

When it comes to the greatest books ever written about seniors with a pessimistic outlook, it’s worth discussing The Notebook. Since its publication in 1996, Nicholas Sparks’ book has become a literary classic. In 2005, Nick Cassavetes honoured the classic book about seniors in his movie “The Notebook”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Notebook” stand out is its depiction of Alzheimer’s Disease. Cassavetes uses captivating montages capturing a pair of aging seniors with memory loss bonding. Assisted by Rachel McAdams who is amazing in the lead role, Cassavetes honoured a classic book about aging. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about aging seniors whose memories are fading, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has produced captivating movies which are definitely worth celebrating.

9. Gandhi

Few politicians in Indian history are as beloved as Mahatma Gandhi. An inspiring leader with charisma, Gandhi forever changed the nation of India. In 1982, Richard Attenborough honoured the iconic political leader in Indian history in his movie “Gandhi”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Gandhi” stand out is its compassionate depiction of seniors in India. Attenborough used captivating montages capturing hardships an aging Indian political leader was facing. Assisted by Ben Kingsley who is extraordinary in the lead role, Attenborough honoured Gandhi’s legacy. An incredible tribute towards an inspiring Indian political leader that changed history forever, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has made unforgettable movies about seniors that are under pressure which audiences treasure.

10. A Man Called Otto

Few movies ever made about seniors facing sorrow are as beloved as “A Man Called Otto”. Released in 2022, Marc Foster’s movie captured hardships senior communities go through. Foster used captivating flashbacks to capture an aging senior mourning his wife’s heartbreaking passing. Assisted by Tom Hanks who is amazing in the lead role, Foster created a captivating comedy about seniors. Although I’ve always admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s use of humour to depict a senior with suicidal ideation has ruined its reputation. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As strong as Otto’s desire to be pessimistic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a genre making iconic movies about tragic hardships faced by senior communities which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to achieve dreams of becoming a film critic.