This short documentary is quick to explain but intriguing to watch. Five long-time friends meet for their weekly breakfast date and have a discussion about their lives. While the setup is simple, the content is not. I feel like most people wish they had a group of friends who could have such an easy, open, and philosophical discussion, and these guys really deliver on all those categories. Each brings to the discussion a short background on his life before they delve into how upbringing and society shape us, and how the shaping never really ends.
While there are many parts of these guys’ conversation that may be blind spots for viewers (I’m still unsure if they were discussing being raised Mennonite or if I misconstrued the language they used when discussing their religious upbringings), the way the conversation flows and the ease with which it meanders will be fascinating to many. Those studying aging and theology will find the most interest in Some Old Friends Talk About How They Became Who They Are, but anyone who enjoys a little people-watching will also enjoy this short documentary.
There’s an element of voyeurism in this film despite the invitation to join at the film’s beginning: We are just watching and eavesdropping at a point, but that’s part of the film’s pleasure. It really scratched that itch for me: People watching can be unfulfilling because it’s usually just people looking at their phones or disciplining their kids, and the subjects in this documentary have a good, old-school conversation. It’s always interesting to learn what people think and how their lives have gone, and that’s the biggest draw and strength of this film. Library patrons or students with an interest in the more qualitative elements of aging and history will be especially interested to see Some Old Friends Talk About How They Became Who They Are.