Movie Breakdown: The Forty Year Old Version
Pre-Screening Stance:
The Forty Year Old Version looks like total film fest-fare, which is interesting since this is the time of year that I’d usually be engaged with Fantastic Fest and the Austin Film Fest. I’m ready.
Post-Screening Ramble:
I really loved The Forty Year Old Version. Radha (played by Radha Blank) is a playwright and teacher in NYC, and with her 40th birthday looming, a lot of things are really starting to come into focus. Her career as a writer, though it once seemed promising, has just about entirely flamed out. The death of her mother, despite it having happened a year or so ago, is something she’s still completely dodging. And, to complete the trifecta, Radha’s love life is so devoid of action that even the homeless guy near her apartment teases her about it. Without a doubt, she’s in a rough spot, but with so much of her situation being self-inflicted, it’s now down to what she’s willing to do to climb out of the hole.
Obviously, this is a film that’s very much about a struggling artist, but what I enjoyed most about it is that it doesn’t really bother with all of the usual stuff you see in similar movies. Yes, Radha has allowed herself to settle into a rut, but this isn’t a woe-is-me tale. She has a rock-solid BFF, caring students and an understanding brother, and she’s aware of it enough to lean on them (in her own way). She’s just at the crossroads of her career and doesn’t know which way to go. I can relate. And considering where you may be job-wise in this pandemic, it’s likely to hit you the same way, especially when Radha gets presented with the opportunity to have one of her plays produced. It’s something that could jump-start things again for her, but it will require more than a few unsavory compromises. Should she take a hit on this one to give herself a shot at something bigger and better later? Or should she stick to her guns, avoid selling out and move forward with her new passion project (hip hop)? Both paths make some level of sense for Radha, and you’ll certainly find yourself wondering if the less than flattering option would really be all that bad, which I think shows just how well written this movie is.
The Forty Year Old Version, which was also written and directed by Radha Blank, is a must-see. This movie has a ton of heart, plenty of laughs, and it takes a crafty, realistic look at doing what’s right for you. Make sure you watch it when it hits Netflix this Friday.
One Last Thought:
There’s a scene in this that features Radha (aka RadhaMUSPrime) bombing (and by bombing, I mean bombing), and it’s one of the most uncomfortable things I’ve seen in all of 2020. I’m still cringing.
