I love a good thriller and a thriller from M. Night Shyamalan ticks off all the boxes for me. Released in theatres a few months ago, I received a coupon code to stream this from Redbox for $3.00. I’ve never used this service before but it was super easy and convenient.
Our movie today opens with a family traveling to a tropical luxury resort. Shyamalan movies are all about symbolism and prolific conversation. Our movie’s title is “Old” and our family’s conversation dives right into ageism with a young boy whining he can’t participate in all the hotel offerings. His Mom chides him by stating” Stop wishing away this moment” he replies “Everything is when I’m older. I want to scuba diving now.” Later Mom argues with Dad “You are always thinking of the future” which Dad responds “You are always thinking of the past”
Appearances are deceiving, and the fun playful family depicted in the van becomes the divided family in the hotel, parents loudly arguing in the bedroom and the two children huddled on the living room sofa listening to their parent’s argument. Their secret of one last vacation together before announcing their impending separation to the children is hardly a secret when being broadcast in the hotel suite.
The young son is happy to meet the similarly aged nephew of the hotel manager, and they quickly develop a friendship. Both socially awkward, they devise a secret code using symbols (another Shyamalan staple) in which to communicate. They go from guest to guest asking “what’s your name and what do you do?” The guest play along with the young boys who discover chefs, dancers, nurses and police officers among the vacationing guests.
The hotel manager offers the family a special treat of a private beach on a nature reserve on the other side of the island which can be assessed by invitation only, “It’s our little secret”
As soon as the hotel shuttle van drops them off, with the driver telling them “I can’t go with you just walk thru the jungle” to the unseen beach the real story begins.
And that’s where I’m going to end this summary except for these clues, superficial beauty, mental illness, quickest pregnancy ever, always swim with a buddy, and how much can a bathing suit stretch?
I am a fan of all things Shyamalan, The Happening, Signs, Split, Glass and who could forget The Sixth Sense. If you are like me, you will like this movie filled with clues and lots of plot twists you never see coming.
At an hour and forty-eight minutes, it's quick and happy to say has a real ending with the viewer getting a complete understanding of the storyline.
Old is rated B-, I enjoyed it but if you are not a fan of Shyamalan you probably will not agree. As for a beverage, the setting of a remote island vacation calls for your favorite tropical beverage, small paper umbrella not necessary.
