While the story idea is sweet, the casting leaves me a bit perplexed.
The children are wonderfully cast and fabulous in their given roles, as is Virginia Madsen as their mother.
Yes, Morgan Freeman is a genius actor and plays the part well, but the romantic undertone is a little creepy. He is twenty-five years older than Virgina Madsen, who is exceptionally attractive for a fifty-year-old woman, but they do not fit romantically and his character comes off a little pervy for his subtle lusting after her. If the genders were reversed, it would be a total turn-off for the viewer. The continuation of the much older man/younger woman scenario (think "The Bridges of Madison County") is dated and unrealistic.
The setting is beautiful and the storyline sentimental, so, overall, it is a solid summer film.
The children are wonderfully cast and fabulous in their given roles, as is Virginia Madsen as their mother.
Yes, Morgan Freeman is a genius actor and plays the part well, but the romantic undertone is a little creepy. He is twenty-five years older than Virgina Madsen, who is exceptionally attractive for a fifty-year-old woman, but they do not fit romantically and his character comes off a little pervy for his subtle lusting after her. If the genders were reversed, it would be a total turn-off for the viewer. The continuation of the much older man/younger woman scenario (think "The Bridges of Madison County") is dated and unrealistic.
The setting is beautiful and the storyline sentimental, so, overall, it is a solid summer film.