"Grumpy Old Men"

Paper Summary:

This paper presents a critique of the movie, "Grumpy Old Men," directed by Donald Petrie. The paper takes a look at the main characters in their roles as children, teens, adults, and elders. The paper examines the engagement theory and the continuity theory using the main characters as examples. The role of seniors in America is described through this movie.

From the Paper:

"At the beginning of the movie, John and Max are practicing the disengagement theory of life for elders (Hiller pg. 69, 70 textbook). Both are shown as grumpy old hermits. The bait seller Chuck and Ariel practice the activity theory (Hiller pg. 67, 68 textbook). Ariel kind of drags Max and John into the activity theory way of life and makes them remember feeling they had when they were young. This feeling and desire shows their need for intimacy and romantic love (Hiller pg 124, 111 textbook). It is shown by the way John and Max got ready for a date with Ariel. The movie illustrated the fact that desire for love does not go away with age (Hiller pg 124, 111 textbook). It made me think of my first date using dad's aftershave and feeling joy and fear all at one time. I think John and Max showed this first date theme very well in the movie."

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