On our first afternoon out celebrating Tuvia’s good health, we were back in Montclair, New Jersey for lunch at the local Greek diner that’s right across the street from a Bow Tie movie theater offering alternative films from the usual mall fare. I selected I’ll See you in my Dreams, starring Blythe Danner, one of my favorites even before she was mother of Gwyneth. Even though we sat through the trailer that I shared above, he needed more to be convinced.

When Carol (Blythe Danner) takes the mic at a Karaoke night at a local LA bar and starts singing an old blues favorite, “Cry Me a River”, Tuvia gingerly  put his arm around me and by the chorus we were practically sitting in one seat.  Yes, she was mesmerizing and captured us, a widow, who after 20 years of living on her own, in a routine that seemed to work for her, her old dog dies and as that comfortable routine is suddenly upended she pulls back the curtain and opens to a new journey.

No need for a spoiler alert, that’s all the plot you get from me.

Blythe held center of this film with a wonderful honesty and authenticity  working seamlessly with a great cast given lots to do in just 1 1/2 hours with a well written script, directed with clarity.  Lloyd (Martin Starr), her pool cleaner, single  handsome and charming man Bill (Sam Elliott), good friends  played by June Squibb, Rhea Perlman and Mary Kay Place and East Coast daughter (Malin Akerman) support Carol with aplomb.

Tuvia and I left the theater smiling, satisfied, thoughtful.

I’m sure he didn’t expect to be so engaged.  I knew I would.