The Age of Adaline

As many a movie vampire has discovered, eternal youth comes with its own set of issues. And so it proves in this fantasy romance, in which ‘Gossip Girl’ Blake Lively’s heroine hasn’t aged a day since 1937. Wary of being treated as a freak, she’s kept on the move for decades, and after giving birth to a daughter has steered clear of emotional commitment.

Love may yet play a part in her destiny as the movie does its level best to blow its intriguing conceit: the explanation behind her condition is ridiculous, the fake-documentary asides laughable and Adaline herself is lacking in personality (big secret notwithstanding).

By far the film’s best move is casting some lovable veteran actors. Ellen Burstyn is adorable as Adaline’s daughter and Harrison Ford steals the show as an old-timer with an instinct for saying the wrong thing. He’s so charismatic, so alive, it’s his best performance for decades – and that’s the big surprise in this otherwise wonky, frequently shambling tall tale.