Yes, That's Gywneth Paltrow's Mother

That would be Blythe Danner and frankly she can act rings around her loony daughter.  A long time career on TV, Broadway, and the movies.  Hell, I was reminded she can sing, too.  She was in "1776" on both the stage and the screen. She sings in this movie in what I can call one of the best performances I've seen in a long time.

"I'll See You in My Dreams" is a strange title for a movie and you don't really understand it until the last five minutes.  It is clearly targeted for an older demo.  It moves as slowly as a senior citizen and that is probably by design.   The creeping pace is not bad editing.  It is meant to signify lives slowing down post 60 or 70.  And, as a result, the device works beautifully.

Meanwhile, the film's writer-director is Brett Haley and he can't be much more than 35 years old.  Obviously one of the new generation, he partially funded this film on Kickstarter as the long list of donors at the end credits will show.
But, despite his age, Haley shows an amazing insight into people a generation and a half away.  I'm curious as to how he developed this.  Maybe he spends lot of time talking to his grandparents.

Danner plays a long time widow.  Her husband died in a plane crash on a business trip twenty years ago.  Her life is very much a routine, including regular swigs of white wine as she is likely a borderline alcoholic.  She regularly plays golf and bridge with her girlfriends.   But, otherwise, her life is dull.

When she has to put her dog down (which we see in a very detailed scene), this event prompts her to branch out.  She develops an odd but gratifying relationship with a young pool cleaner who is intrigued by her past singing career and takes her out to a dive bar's Karaoke night.  

Meanwhile, down at the country club, she hooks up for some full-blown dates with a grizzled millionaire played by an even more grizzled Sam Elliott.  The film gravitates slowly through these new relationships.  Nothing much happens.  A lot happens.

The casting throughout is spot on.  The bridge games scenes with the always welcome June Squibb, the even more welcome Mary Kay Place, and the generally dependable Rhea Perlman are a hoot and could be a whole movie unto themselves.

But, ultimately, the film belongs to Blythe Danner who becomes your friend over the course of ninety minutes.  You quietly feel her pain.  You worry as you watch her take that one more glass of white wine.   You grimace as her new relationships take odd and unfortunate turns.  That's the mark of a great actress.

An actress whose genes were apparently not handed down to her daughter.

LEN'S RATING:  Three-and-a-half stars.

Dinner last night:  Super Dodger Dog at the game.