Some Kind of Heaven

2021 • 82 minuuttia

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First-time feature director Lance Oppenheim cracks the manicured façade of The Villages, America's largest retirement community - a massive, self-contained utopia located in Central Florida. Behind the gates of this palm tree-lined fantasyland, SOME KIND OF HEAVEN invests in the dreams and desires of a small group of Villages residents - and one interloper - who are unable to find happiness within the community's pre-packaged paradise. With strikingly composed cinematography, this candy-colored documentary offers a tender and surreal look at the never-ending quest for finding meaning and love in life's final act.

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I see a lot of people saying not to watch this because it's depressing. It has it's sad moments but, it's real life. The director purposefully found people who didn't feel as though the Villages was the heaven it is said to be. That's what makes this doc so good. You really get a feel for the characters in an almost traditional narrative sense that you would see in a fictional film. Their struggles are reliable and grounded in reality. The cinematography is stunning, making use of Wes Anderson-esque (symmetrical surrealist) shots that made me pause to really take them in. The aspect ratio they use also helps to create an intimate connection with the characters. The film is well paced and doesn't try to force it's opinions on you. It simply shows you a glimpse into these people's lives and leaves the conclusion for you to decide. All in all, if you are looking for a film that makes you consider your mortality and helps you understand the prospective of those who try to find paradise in their late years, this is the film for you. Looking forward to what Lance Oppenheim does next. *A couple of my personal takeaways: You're never too old to change or find love. Paradise is a place that you create for yourself.

I have visited the Villages. It was interesting to see the other side of Villages that The Villages shows in their PR. This film developed characters well especially the widow from Massachusetts and the couple married 47 years.. Both showed a range of emotions, I liked how the film portrayed real life sadness in their lives and then commitment to moving forward.

As a 66 yr old single woman living in Albuquerque, this was one of the most depressing documentaries I’ve ever watched. I have considered what it might be like to live in the Villages and I don’t believe this show was representative of that at all. I don’t recommend watching this. There are sad lonely people everywhere and absolutely nothing is to be learned from watching this.