Lifestyle
9 midlife rom-coms that will restore your faith in happy endings
Movie romance isn't just for 20-somethings. Here are a bunch of midlife rom-coms about grown-ups navigating love and life that are perfect for your next cosy night in.
By Carolyn Tate
Movie romance feels easy for the young and unblemished. See someone you like, have some form of hilarious misunderstanding that makes you despise each other, realise your mistake and that you’re perfectly matched, then flash a montage of gorgeous destination wedding pics and adorable babies. The end.
Once we get to a certain age, we know love can be a whole lot more complicated. But you could also argue we have a much better sense of humour, so we’re at a great age to enjoy the highs and lows of a good rom-com. One that allows us to see ourselves on the screen.
With Hollywood more willing to put more women over 50 on the big screen (men have never really had a problem there), we’re seeing more movies that capture the joys, awkwardness and humour of falling in love when you might have done it once or twice before.
Whether you’re dipping back into dating, nurturing a long-term relationship or enjoying life's second chapter as a solo venture, we could all do with a bit of fun and love in our lives. Here are our picks of heartwarming, funny midlife rom-coms perfect for bringing on that warm, fuzzy feeling.
1. You Hurt My Feelings (2023)
Beth (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), an author already doubtful about her career, overhears her apparently supportive husband secretly admitting he dislikes her latest novel. It’s witty and subtle as it dissects trust, honesty, married life and the gentle complexities of long-term relationships with genuine warmth and insight.
Streaming: Apple TV, Amazon Prime
2. Good Luck To You, Leo Grande (2022)
Nancy (Emma Thompson), a widowed retired schoolteacher, looks for the intimacy she never experienced with her husband by engaging a much younger male escort named Leo (Daryl McCormack). What could be super cringey is actually a funny, tender and intelligent story, thanks largely to the genius of Emma Thompson. The film tackles mature sexuality, vulnerability and personal empowerment, showing it's never too late to discover yourself.
Streaming: Stan, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google TV
3. Something’s Gotta Give (2003)
Successful playwright Erica (Diane Keaton) reluctantly falls for Harry (Jack Nicholson), a charming music executive with a reputation for dating younger women (typecast much?). The awkward bit is that those younger women include Erica’s daughter. With smart, witty dialogue and wonderful performances by the 2 leads, this delightful film has stood the test of time. That’s because it thoughtfully addresses the messy surprises of mature love, complicated relationships and the joys of embracing romance at any age.
Streaming: Foxtel Now, BINGE, Fetch, Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Google Play
4. It’s Complicated (2009)
Jane (Meryl Streep), a divorced bakery owner, finds herself having an unexpected fling with her remarried ex-husband Jake (Alec Baldwin), right when an attractive architect (Steve Martin) enters the picture. This fun film is all about second chances, tangled emotions, outrageous timing and the delicious complications of rediscovering passion later in life. And full marks to whoever decided to match Alec Baldwin up with an actress who is actually close to his own age.
Streaming: Netflix, Amazon Prime
5. Elsa and Fred (2014)
Elsa (Shirley MacLaine) is romantic and spontaneous; Fred (Christopher Plummer) is recently widowed, grumpy and reserved – so basically Captain Von Trapp again, but older. When they're forced to spend time together, Fred begins to embrace Elsa’s adventurous outlook, with both of them catching all the feels for one another. It’s sweet, and thanks to Shirly MacLaine, laugh-out-loud funny.
Streaming: Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google TV
6. She Came to Me (2023)
Steven (Peter Dinklage), a creatively blocked composer, goes out into the world looking for inspiration and unexpectedly finds passion and drama with Katrina (Marisa Tomei), an eccentric tugboat captain. Yes this film is totally bonkers, but it’s also genuinely funny and profoundly kind. It will restore your faith in creativity, love and finding your purpose in life.
Streaming: Disney +
7. Ticket to Paradise (2022)
Divorced couple Georgia (Julia Roberts) and David (George Clooney) can’t stand each other but they reluctantly join forces to sabotage their daughter's sudden wedding plans in Bali (filmed partly in Australia). Roberts and Clooney are always fun and their chemistry makes you feel like you’re in on the joke. While going back to your ex might seem like a terrible idea, if he was George Clooney, that could sweeten the deal just a little bit. Lots of easy laughs, great fashion and scenery. What’s not to love?
Streaming: Paramount+
8. Cloudburst (2011)
Touted as “the best geriatric lesbian road movie you have ever seen”, Cloudburst isn’t streaming on Australian screens at the moment but it’s worth getting creative to source it online. Stella (Olympia Dukakis) and Dot (Brenda Fricker) escape their aged care home and head for Canada, determined to legally marry after decades together. Equal parts hilarious road trip and heartfelt romance, led by 2 wonderful actresses it’s also a wonderfully uplifting celebration of enduring love and courage.
Streaming: Find it online
9. Book Club (2018) & Book Club: The Next Chapter (2023)
Four lifelong girlfriends (the very fun grouping of Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen) read Fifty Shades of Grey and decide they need to spice up their own lives. Silliness and romance ensue in equal measure. The sequel has the bonus of a spectacular Italian backdrop. Who wouldn’t want to join this book club?
Streaming: ABCiView, Netflix, Amazon Prime
Feature image: iStock/Prostock-Studio
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