In recent years, filmmakers are increasingly intent on portraying diverse characters with dignity and respect. The goal is showing people as they really are, free from stereotypes. Yet older people in movies sometimes seem frozen in time as doddering comic foils, endearing eccentrics, tactless truth-tellers or all-knowing keepers of wisdom.
Seniors who watch their peers on screen may think, “I know no one like this.” Unlike documentaries, movies aren’t supposed to capture stark reality. Characters of all ages play a role in advancing the story. Ailing seniors may serve a purpose—to deliver advice before dying to the young star or lurk in the background at family dinners. Vibrant seniors, by contrast, can reinforce a filmmaker’s message that you’re never too old to drink in life. It’s heartening when movies portray older people with verisimilitude. When we see seniors as they really are, it raises awareness and reduces ageism. “I think things have improved a lot in how movies show older adults,” said Gayle Doll, Ph.D., an associate professor of gerontology at Kansas State University. “The serious dramas have done a pretty good job for the most part. But if it’s a comedy, it’ll often stereotype older adults.” Doll’s research focu …
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Seniors who watch their peers on screen may think, “I know no one like this.” Unlike documentaries, movies aren’t supposed to capture stark reality. Characters of all ages play a role in advancing the story. Ailing seniors may serve a purpose—to deliver advice before dying to the young star or lurk in the background at family dinners. Vibrant seniors, by contrast, can reinforce a filmmaker’s message that you’re never too old to drink in life. It’s heartening when movies portray older people with verisimilitude. When we see seniors as they really are, it raises awareness and reduces ageism. “I think things have improved a lot in how movies show older adults,” said Gayle Doll, Ph.D., an associate professor of gerontology at Kansas State University. “The serious dramas have done a pretty good job for the most part. But if it’s a comedy, it’ll often stereotype older adults.” Doll’s research focu …nnDiscussion:nn” ai_name=”RocketNews AI: ” start_sentence=”Can I tell you more about this article?” text_input_placeholder=”Type ‘Yes'”]