2018 * PG-13 * 1h 34m What a treat is is to see two distinguished and accomplished actors like John Lithgow and Blythe Danner in a movie together. And it's fun to see them in such a quirky little indie film like "The Tomorrow Man". It's another one that slipped under the radar--I'd never heard of this gem. Lithgow plays Ed, an eccentric old coot who is convinced the world is about to end. To that end, he's built a secret bomb shelter and has spent almost all his money stocking it with essential items. He spends his days conversing with fellow nuts on the internet and watching the news on tv. When the anchorwoman addresses him directly at the end of each broadcast, it's proof enough to the viewer that he's lost his marbles.
While shopping at the local grocery store, he runs into Ronnie (Danner) several times. He's intrigued enough to ask her out for a cup of coffee. Eventually the two start dating. She's a lonely spinster who works at gift shop/antique store in their small town. The two of them are awkward with each other at first, but eventually, they become quite smitten with each other. Ed harangues his adult son about being prepared for the end of times, and things really come to a head when they spend Thanksgiving together.
Overall, it's a fun, offbeat film and the two veteran actors have an easy chemistry together. I don't think they've appeared in a film together before, but I certainly hope they do again.
SPOILER ALERT: The only problem I have with the movie is the ending. Without giving anything away, let's just say it comes out of nowhere and I thought it would have been a far better movie if it had ended about five minutes earlier. But that's just me. I'm sure other folks will disagree with my view on this.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Streaming on Kanopy (for free with your library card,) Hulu, and Prime
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