The Leisure Seeker

Canadian acting legend Donald Sutherland and Academy Award winner Helen Mirren star in this wise and witty road movie set in today’s divided United States. The English-language debut of Italian director Paolo Virzi, The Leisure Seeker makes an entire country its canvas and a couple of aging adventurers its lovable heroes.

Living their twilight years under the close supervision of their adult children and an array of doctors and specialists, John (Donald Sutherland) and Ella (Helen Mirren) yearn for one last adventure. Escaping in a 1978 “Leisure Seeker” RV, the couple hits the road in an effort to reclaim some independence and spontaneity in their lives. However, the trip may not be as carefree as John and Ella anticipate: both are suffering from serious health issues, prompting their children and doctors to keep close tabs on them at all times. Yet Ella, the driving force behind the road trip down the famous Route 66, refuses to let these hindrances keep her and John from truly experiencing the world and living life on their own terms for as long as possible.

Based on the novel by Michael Zadoorian. The Leisure Seeker is a pleasure giver. Despite the sombre rationale behind Ella and John’s journey the film brims with humour, affection, observation and more than a little satire. Featuring standout performances from both its magnificent leads, the film unflinchingly chronicles the challenges that seniors can face, while simultaneously saluting the adventurous spirit that inspires these two to throw caution to the wind and embark on an improbable escapade together. With great respect and genuine affection for its characters, and an impressively nuanced take on the aging process as a journey of its own, The Leisure Seeker is a road trip unlike any other.

“Like the characters, America itself is shown to have more layers than we initially see. Indeed, the film is destined to be catalogued as a significant snapshot of today’s USA. With any luck, The Leisure Seeker will be a landmark in another way. Sutherland is being given an honorary Oscar at the next Academy Award ceremony, the 82-year-old deserves to be nominated for a Best Actor Oscar, too.” – (Nicholas Barber, The Economist)

(text courtesy of CV Arts)

Doors open at 6:30 pm. Film starts at 7:00 pm.

Tickets available at the door.

Cost:

• Regular adult – $12
• CV Arts Members – $11
• Kids 13 & under – $5

For more information about this and future Cinefest films, please visit: http://columbiavalleyarts.com