Our Souls At Night - Review 

Rating: 4 out of 5

ROBERT Redford and Jane Fonda make engaging bedfellows (literally) in Our Souls At Night, a charming romance that thrives on the easy-going chemistry between them.

Adapted from Kent Haruf’s novel, the film follows two widowers as they attempt to overcome their loneliness by ‘sleeping together’ and baring their souls.

Louis (Redford) lives in small-town Colorado, going about his business in quiet, hum-drum fashion, without really having any meaning. When long-time neighbour Addie (Fonda) knocks one night to ask Louis if he wouldn’t mind coming over to sleep with her (not for sex, just company), Louis reluctantly agrees.

But what begins as something awkward and unlikely, soon blossoms into something much deeper, as Louis is encouraged to talk about his life and some of the decisions and regrets he still harbours. Likewise, Addie also begins to exorcise some of her own demons.

As a result, what starts as an amicable experiment turns into an unlikely romance, as the two decide to go public and discover new happiness that had, for so long, seemed elusive.

Yet as is so often the case with films of this type, after a period of contentment, new challenges emerge, not least of which is the return of Addie’s struggling son (Matthias Schoenaerts) with his own son, who Louis and Addie take in.

Ritesh Batra’s film works as well as it does because of the laidback charm of its stars, both of whom seem to be enjoying each other’s company. But early on, it also offers some poignant insights into grief and regret, as well as the toll of old age and the experience that helps to put lives in perspective.

The pillow talk between them uncovers elements of both of their pasts that have proved painful and even controversial - a late life affair and family abandonment for one, the death of a child for another. But it also gives them a new kind of strength and a resolve to restart living.

By the time their relationship has to face up to fresh challenges, viewers should be suitably attached to the couple and thereby rooting for them to navigate a successful path through - no matter how melodramatic some of the later stuff becomes.

There’s decent support, too, from the likes of Schoenaerts (struggling with his own insecurities as a father whose own marriage has hit the rocks) and from Judy Greer, as Louis’ estranged daughter - albeit under-used.

But the main draw for the film is undoubtedly its leading duo, and they live up to their reputations as long-time screen icons, revelling in roles that allow them to remind viewers of just why they have achieved such beloved cinematic status.

Our Souls At Night is warm, witty, occasionally poignant and resolutely old fashioned - but in a good way. It’s a pleasure to spend time in this film’s company.