Posted by Tristan on: February 09 2010

A humorous look at aging in the twenty-first century.

Who should see this film:

Anyone interested in health and wellness or biotechnology, and people who are concerned about aging and senility or just want to see a funny documentary.

Review:

As more and more Baby Boomers are becoming members of AARP, interest in longevity and anti-aging science has peaked in this country.  I should not have been surprised that I was one of maybe four people under fifty at this afternoons packed screening of How To Live Forever.

Middle aged filmmaker Mark Wexler - realizing that he is not getting any younger - embarks on a funny and informative enquiry on how to go about living forever.   For Wexler, like most people, it is not death that is frightening but getting old and becoming infirm, senile or both.  This documentary gives us a broad scope of the options available to help us combat aging. 

Some tips for longevity seem common sense. Jack Lalanne makes an appearance to tell us to exercise, and of course drink fresh carrot juice. Suzanne Somers recommends hormone therapy. There is also cryogenic freezing, laugh yoga, health clubs for your brain, countless diets and Japanese companion robots.

Wexler also asks some notable geriatrics there secrets including: a 94 year old practicing heart surgeon, a 95 year old elderly porn star, and a 101 year old marathon runner who drinks only beer.

By the end you come to realize that all this obsession about aging is only going to cause unhealthful anxiety. But if humor really is the best medicine you’ll get a good dose before the end credits.

Categories: Film

Tags: c2sbiff, health and wellness, biotechnology, aging, senility, funny documentary