Older viewers may enjoy Susan Seidelman's comedy-drama about romance among men and women of a certain age, which mixes easygoing sentiment, humor with a slightly naughty but basically inoffensive edge, and a sense of poignancy, as well as—unfortunately—a sitcom feel and a large degree of mawkish manipulation. The linchpins of the script's overlapping plot threads are two people grieving the loss of their spouses: Marilyn (Brenda Vaccaro), whose husband was run down by a careless woman as he was jogging, and Jack (Len Cariou), whose wife died of natural causes. Both wind up at the titular neighborhood gathering in a southern Florida retirement community, where survivors support one another, and newcomers are effectively adopted by current members: Marilyn by the upbeat group leader (Dyan Cannon), and Jack by a gregarious ladies' man (Joseph Bologna). Before long, romance is in the air for some. Played by a likable cast, the characters make for easy company, but the plot twists prove decidedly unadventurous, making Boynton Beach Club feel like a bland American Pie reformulated for seniors. Optional. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Susan Seidelman, and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for a so-so comedy.] (F. Swietek)
Boynton Beach Club
Sony, 105 min., R, DVD: $26.99, Feb. 6 Volume 21, Issue 6
Boynton Beach Club
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