AARP Deems Loving The Most Grownup Movie of the Year

by Daniel Crooke

As Paul Ryan and his conference of House Republicans noodle over whether to raise the national retirement age, it’s more important than ever to stand with the AARP – even in Oscar season, when they honor their annual favorites in film. You can rely upon their Movies for Grownups Awards to serve up some fresh names in the same-old stale category line-ups and this year’s idiosyncratic nominations were no different: Molly Shannon! Tilda Swinton! Stephen McKinley Henderson! The ballots have been collected, the final winners tabulated, and this year the AARP Movies for Grownups selected Loving as the Best Picture of 2016. And Character Actress Margo Martindale will host their awards ceremony!

It would be silly to blow these awards out of proportion but as Nathaniel has pointed out, it’s interesting to consider the chief commonality between the Academy and the AARP: age.

And if you’ve worried that stuffier, more conservative Oscar voters might not find a whole lot to hook onto in Barry Jenkins’ delicately mesmerizing Moonlight, or even worse that they’d find plenty to run away from, you won’t find any encouragement here; not only did the AARP opt out of awarding it with any wins but it failed to give the film a single nomination. The word “snub” has essentially lost all meaning in the awards conversation but considering the overwhelming chorus of critical hosannas behind the picture…it’s hard for the omission to seem inconspicuous. Especially when they’re keyed into the conversation enough to watch Elle and award it Best Foreign Language Film.

Meanwhile, despite my own distaste for the AARP’s Moonlight distaste, I must admit that I’m thrilled to see Loving pick up any iteration of a Best Picture prize. For my money it’s one of the most underrated films of the year and beautifully renders its submerged emotions through touch and tableau in a personal fashion that recalls a certain Cate Blanchett-starring TFE favorite. After looking at this winners list, I suppose my love for Loving is one more reason that – in addition to my Jeopardy! watching, chess playing, and sweater wearing – I may be an older gentleman at heart. Full list of winners below:

Best Picture: Loving

Best Director: Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea

Best Actor: Denzel Washington, Fences

Best Actress: Annette Bening, 20^th Century Women

Best Supporting Actor: Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water

Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis, Fences

Best Screenwriter: Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea

Best Comedy/Musical: La La Land

Breakthrough Achievement: Robert Mrazek (The Congressman)

Best Grownup Love Story: Margo Martindale and Richard Jenkins(The Hollars)

Best Documentary: The Beatles: Eight Days a Week

Best Intergenerational Film: 20th Century Women

Best Buddy Picture: Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie)

Best Time Capsule: Jackie

Best Movie for Grownups Who Refuse to Grow Up: Kubo and the Two Strings

Best Foreign Language Film: Elle (France)

Comments

[Philip H.]

They have more of an identity than 99% of these critics groups today. Most of them are just voting for Oscar frontrunners.

[Evan]

They have some silly picks in the non-Oscar categories but I love their major selections. Totally agree with you, Daniel, that Loving is one of the most underrated of the year.

[Paul Outlaw]

Art Directors Guild nominations offer some clues: Fences in as a period film, Moonlight shut out of contemporary (HELL OR HIGH WATER, LA LA LAND, LION, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS)...

[Claran]

I'm jus glad Bening finally won sumtink for 20th Century Women!