The Age of Adaline - C

Rated PG-13, 110 minutes
Wes's Grade: C

Predictable and corny, "Adaline" is helped by its handsome leads

The corny but entertaining and touching new drama "The Age of Adaline" should be called "Ageless Adaline," starring the effervescent Blake Lively of "Traveling Pants" and "Gossip Girl" fame. And don't believe anyone who tells you it isn't a "chick flick" though admittedly it does have some crossover appeal to non-females; its premise clings to the notion of really holding on to 29 - forever. After miraculously remaining 29 years old for almost eight decades, Adaline Bowman (Lively) rarely allows herself to get close to anyone who will learn her secret but a chance encounter with charismatic philanthropist Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman) reignites her passion for life and romance. When a weekend with his parents (Harrison Ford and Kathy Baker) threatens to uncover the truth, Adaline makes a decision that will change her life forever. Directed by Lee Toland Krieger ("Celeste and Jesse Forever") and co-written by J. Mills Goodloe ("The Best of Me") and Salvador Paskowitz, the predictably engaging romance drama "The Age of Adaline" puts a slightly different spin on the romantic notions of growing old and happily ever after together, especially when one of you never seems to age. The lovely Lively and Huisman (he's a minor character from "Games of Thrones") make for a warm pairing, and their bland charm carries the movie through a very calculated last act. As a matter of fact, I really bought into its pensive, poignant first act as it explored the sadness and solitude of never aging, and I enjoyed the fact Oscar-winner Ellen Burstyn's believably plucky older-than-Mom daughter - but the last act - when Ford's character comes into the picture, that it grows a little creaky (despite the fact Ford looks dashing as ever in a gray goatee). That unnerving plot contrivance almost stole my breath away, and it became more difficult for me to understand how in a universe this big, that all of these folks would somehow be this connected. As for the science of it all, it's rather preposterous, but if you don't think about it much and focus on the handsome leads and the always picturesque San Francisco visuals, you'll enjoy "The Age of Adaline" just fine. Without giving away any spoilers, you'll also be glad to know that it's just fine to grow old, as long you grow old with someone you love. Just know that if you go to "Adaline" this week expect to go with him to the new "Avengers" flick next week as payback.