While it seems like it's going to become a melodramatic, supercilious Lifetime type movie, it ends up treating a dicey subject a pretty objectively, giving the viewer an opportunity to form their own opinion, which I find refreshing in an era when every movie and TV show seems like imperious operant conditioning for convicted thought criminals.
19 Reviews
I didn't know it was that kind of party
nogodnomasters7 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Richard Hendrick (Jeffrey DeMunn ) is the head of Kendrick Industries, a multi million-dollar company. He moves into an upscale retirement community along with his wife Lily (Melora Walters ) called Amaranth. Lily doesn't like living in a "Cocoon" a hint at what is to come. Like the film "Cocoon" the people stay young. Dr. Campbell (Christopher Denham) is a miracle worker who does all kinds of surgeries. The staff comes from refugees who disappear when an organ is needed. Lily has issues while Richard wants to stay.
The characters made the film interesting. The plot was predictable, at least to Ron Howard. The ending failed to be climatic.
Guide: Implied sex. No nudity. Do not recall any swearing.
The characters made the film interesting. The plot was predictable, at least to Ron Howard. The ending failed to be climatic.
Guide: Implied sex. No nudity. Do not recall any swearing.
You know what movie The Amaranth made me think of?
mcfurlong30 October 2020
Overall, I felt this was a very good movie. You do not have to be an A listed male or female actor to give an extremely good performance; you just have to have the opportunity to do so. But, as I sat though the viewing of the film, my mind drifted back to the 1970s for an oddly similar movie and the only one I could come up with was the original Stepford Wives.
If You Love Your Husband, You'll Send Him to Doctor Campbell.
wandernn1-81-68327424 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
So Dale and Lily, they move to some assisted living home? The Amaranth. WoW! What a place. Amazing.
Apparently Dale had a stroke. And Wife Lily wants him to receive the best of care, as only filthy rich people can get! You know you're not in Kansas anymore when the butler breaks out the dominoes. Everyone should really know how to play dominoes. That's a fact.
Ruh Roh, one night out in the dining room with a group of fellow partiers, Dale has some sort of heart attack and Lily has to pull the emergency alarm. Dale has to have emergency bypass surgery , which apparently this Dr. Campbell is well equipped to do right there on the premises. Nice to be rich eh?? After this heart attack, they have a new butler when they come back from the hospital. Lily is concerned that Arthur the old butler might have been fired because of the night of the heart attack he didnt come running when Lily called for him.
Dale is getting around much better after this surgery than he had for a long time. He even turns it up a notch for his wife Lily!!! Lily is finding that she is having problems 'keeping up' with Dale. Dale is more active, sexually with Lily, and also more physically active. Riding horses, etc.
Lily consults with Dr. Campbell, as to what is going on. And she doesn't seem happy about what little answers she's getting. And then Lily packs a bag. She's not used to Dale acting so....young. Weird she never even really talked to Dale about how she felt at all, she just packs up to leave. But Dale begs her to stay and stay she does.
Then they attend some other event and Lily has her appendix burst. She wakes up in bed, having had surgery and also getting new news. Lily is Pregnant!!! And Lily makes up with her estranged father, who is in some other home. At this home Lily meets Shirley, the daughter of one of the other residents at the Amaranth. The other resident at the Amaranth appears even younger than the daughter Shirley!!! So what is going on here????
As we find out, at the Amaranth, they are buying healthy organs from younger donors / patients and transplanting them into these old people. They transplanted a younger womAN's womb into Lily , to get her pregnant with Dale and her own child. When Lily finds out , she is outraged. But what does she do??
Fast forward to years later, Lily has had her young daughter, and apparently the daughter has some problems of her own and has only a year to live. Lily returns to the Amaranth, where Dr. Campbell says he believes he can help the young girl. So what we end up with is a question or morality and / or ethics. T he organ transplanting is not really illegal, but is it immoral?? Obviously Lily was against it at first but of course she wanted her own daughter to live. Everyone wants their own children to live.
Basically there wasn't a lot of ups or downs to this movie so I'm just leaving it as a 5/10
Apparently Dale had a stroke. And Wife Lily wants him to receive the best of care, as only filthy rich people can get! You know you're not in Kansas anymore when the butler breaks out the dominoes. Everyone should really know how to play dominoes. That's a fact.
Ruh Roh, one night out in the dining room with a group of fellow partiers, Dale has some sort of heart attack and Lily has to pull the emergency alarm. Dale has to have emergency bypass surgery , which apparently this Dr. Campbell is well equipped to do right there on the premises. Nice to be rich eh?? After this heart attack, they have a new butler when they come back from the hospital. Lily is concerned that Arthur the old butler might have been fired because of the night of the heart attack he didnt come running when Lily called for him.
Dale is getting around much better after this surgery than he had for a long time. He even turns it up a notch for his wife Lily!!! Lily is finding that she is having problems 'keeping up' with Dale. Dale is more active, sexually with Lily, and also more physically active. Riding horses, etc.
Lily consults with Dr. Campbell, as to what is going on. And she doesn't seem happy about what little answers she's getting. And then Lily packs a bag. She's not used to Dale acting so....young. Weird she never even really talked to Dale about how she felt at all, she just packs up to leave. But Dale begs her to stay and stay she does.
Then they attend some other event and Lily has her appendix burst. She wakes up in bed, having had surgery and also getting new news. Lily is Pregnant!!! And Lily makes up with her estranged father, who is in some other home. At this home Lily meets Shirley, the daughter of one of the other residents at the Amaranth. The other resident at the Amaranth appears even younger than the daughter Shirley!!! So what is going on here????
As we find out, at the Amaranth, they are buying healthy organs from younger donors / patients and transplanting them into these old people. They transplanted a younger womAN's womb into Lily , to get her pregnant with Dale and her own child. When Lily finds out , she is outraged. But what does she do??
Fast forward to years later, Lily has had her young daughter, and apparently the daughter has some problems of her own and has only a year to live. Lily returns to the Amaranth, where Dr. Campbell says he believes he can help the young girl. So what we end up with is a question or morality and / or ethics. T he organ transplanting is not really illegal, but is it immoral?? Obviously Lily was against it at first but of course she wanted her own daughter to live. Everyone wants their own children to live.
Basically there wasn't a lot of ups or downs to this movie so I'm just leaving it as a 5/10
Decent mystery/thriller worth a watch.
joiningjt25 September 2020
Not a masterpiece but a very decent mystery thriller with excellent acting and a very good cast. A little slow and moderately predictable but was worth watching till the satisfying end. With who we have as president and the way society is going I see this story as very plausible and in the very near future.
Warning Spoilers
Mehki_Girl12 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This is a slow moving movie with lots of old people, so probably won't appeal to the scrim crowd.
It doesn't take long to figure out what's going on and it's fairly interesting to get there.
Lots of ethical questions which are answered or resolved by throwing a bunch of money at it.
Spoilers below ************************************************** This isn't so far fetched when it was in the news just a few years ago that poor desperate people in India were selling their organs.
I guess if you're rich you can pay someone a lousy $25,000 for a human body part and feel like it's a win-win for everyone.
It doesn't take long to figure out what's going on and it's fairly interesting to get there.
Lots of ethical questions which are answered or resolved by throwing a bunch of money at it.
Spoilers below ************************************************** This isn't so far fetched when it was in the news just a few years ago that poor desperate people in India were selling their organs.
I guess if you're rich you can pay someone a lousy $25,000 for a human body part and feel like it's a win-win for everyone.
Its was well done but they focused on the WRONG CHARACTERS.
ajlondon22 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Why did they focus on the old people?
They should have made the story about the young organ donors....
This was such a fundamental flaw.
It would have been so much more interesting to have the story about the young organ donors, and all the 'old' people as minor characters.
The movie was well paced but not as interesting or unique or shocking as it ould have been.
They should have made the story about the young organ donors....
This was such a fundamental flaw.
It would have been so much more interesting to have the story about the young organ donors, and all the 'old' people as minor characters.
The movie was well paced but not as interesting or unique or shocking as it ould have been.
Slow and Dull
RussHog17 October 2020
There are things in this film I liked a lot - at the beginning. But the film never really builds to a climax. It is long and slow and you have to pay close attention. It sorta lost my interest and honestly I have no idea what was going on towards the end. I just remember this made me feel depressed. :(
Palatable
Valid_ID17 January 2022
For once, I agree with the overall Imdb rating of this movie; it was palatable. An interesting, if unoriginal story, unfolds with enough mystery to keep you watching until the end. Melora Walterns was a new face to me, but she held up her acting part with skill. Jeffery DeMunn has one of those unpleasant faces that would make a great villain, but in this movie he just looks senile and demented. IMO Christopher Denham's heart-shaped face doesn't convey enough malice for the role, so not a good casting choice, but he did a decent job nonetheless. Brandon Scott was a good choice for the role, and he was great in it. I enjoyed the story twist at the end, as it's more realistic, with none of that pretense of a happy ending that most Hollywood movies end with.
Brought to You by the Geriatric Society
tawnmaru-5667222 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
One of the worst movies I've ever seen in an ocean of bad films each year.
It's slow, boring and almost everyone is in their 80s. The lead actress is referred to as a "young woman" who doesn't fit in at the retirement community called Amaranth, but she looks like she's in her early 60s.
She ends up pregnant by her geriatric husband. Unlike Rosemary's Baby, the big reveal here---after enduring dreary scenes of old ladies talking about their face lifts and watching people play dominoes---turns out to be nothing. The evil doctor is giving hormones and transplanting organs to keep the residents youthful. That's it.
Go watch grass grow. It will be more entertaining.
It's slow, boring and almost everyone is in their 80s. The lead actress is referred to as a "young woman" who doesn't fit in at the retirement community called Amaranth, but she looks like she's in her early 60s.
She ends up pregnant by her geriatric husband. Unlike Rosemary's Baby, the big reveal here---after enduring dreary scenes of old ladies talking about their face lifts and watching people play dominoes---turns out to be nothing. The evil doctor is giving hormones and transplanting organs to keep the residents youthful. That's it.
Go watch grass grow. It will be more entertaining.
Interesting study in the risks of manipulating with nature on humans
clanciai21 August 2021
There is no mention of anyone's age here, although that is the main issue of the film. Lily moves with her old husband on his request to a geriatric home, where everyone is of an undefinable old age. Her husband has a heart attack, but he recovers, and by the medications of the home he has a startling recovery and becomes a new man. She even gets pregnant.
She has an old father who never approved of her marriage, and in spite of her husband's wishes, she visits him sometimes. He dies, like all old people do sooner or later, but no one seems to die at the Amaranth.
The doctor is engaged in pioneering experiments, and almost every pensioner at the place eats his yellow pills. Well, let's not embark on any spoilers.
The film is interesting, because there is no science fiction here, everything is quite realistic, and these things could very well be going on. Medical science always needs to go on researching, there is never any end to new discoveries and breakthroughs, but these always need experiments.
The film explores this research activity in a very subtle way without giving anything away or risking any improper allegations. It is beautifully made at that, the music is perfectly adapted, and especially if you are anywhere in the medical profession, this should make you think. Is this really ethically tolerable? Well, the medical pioneers and researchers have no choice but just have to continue experimenting and follow through what they have started.
She has an old father who never approved of her marriage, and in spite of her husband's wishes, she visits him sometimes. He dies, like all old people do sooner or later, but no one seems to die at the Amaranth.
The doctor is engaged in pioneering experiments, and almost every pensioner at the place eats his yellow pills. Well, let's not embark on any spoilers.
The film is interesting, because there is no science fiction here, everything is quite realistic, and these things could very well be going on. Medical science always needs to go on researching, there is never any end to new discoveries and breakthroughs, but these always need experiments.
The film explores this research activity in a very subtle way without giving anything away or risking any improper allegations. It is beautifully made at that, the music is perfectly adapted, and especially if you are anywhere in the medical profession, this should make you think. Is this really ethically tolerable? Well, the medical pioneers and researchers have no choice but just have to continue experimenting and follow through what they have started.
Not the worst movie...but definitely not the best, either
silverpinkcity13 February 2024
We open our movie with a retirement village. But not the usual sort with smallish homes and bingo at the rec center. This is a retirement village for very well-to-do folks, obviously. We are introduced to the "main couple," an older man and his (supposedly) younger wife (although she never looked as young as everyone was insinuating that she was).
The house this couple will now be living in is gorgeous. Actually, I think the house was the star of the movie! Just beautiful...wonderfully decorated. Yea, the house was great! The rest of the movie? Well, it was weird and slow. But intriquing enough for me to keep watching.
The woman in charge of showing the couple around is stressing how many great activities there are to participate in at this retirement community. Golf, swimming, etc...and the grounds, just like the house, are absolutely gorgeous.
But there's a vibe. A mysterious sort of "something creepy is going on here" vibe. But not too creepy. Not like "horror movie creepy." Just more...mysterious. The old people who live at this place are strangely energetic for their ages. Also, strangely sexual. So, that doesn't add up.
Then there's the "butler" the couple is assigned...a really nice guy who keeps giving the man and the woman odd looks, like he "knows something they don't." Well...that's because he does.
After the woman's husband has a stroke (or maybe it was a heart attack) the husband is taken to the hospital in the development. After he returns home, he's changed! Suddenly, he has a ton more energy, whereas before, he barely wanted to leave the house. Plus...he always wants to have sex with his wife! He wants to go to parties and he even flirts with other old women. And....now the nice butler has mysteriously vanished, replaced by someone else!
What's going on here? Of course, I won't tell you, because that would give "everything" away. But I will say, it's not all that interesting. In fact, the "reveal" is a bit of a let-down.
I don't believe this is a movie I would ever watch again, once I know what "the secret" is. That was the whole thing that kept me glued in the first place....wanting to find out what was going on. And now that I know...
Anyway, would I recommend this movie? Yea, maybe for one viewing and one viewing only. The acting is okay, and like I said...the scenery is beautiful! The main character, the woman, was a bit unlikable I thought...unfortunately. Perhaps if they had chosen another actress, that would have made a difference. She has a very annoying voice.
Also, they should have added some more "action" to this movie....like maybe someone having an affair or something, just to kick it up. Oh well. The one word that comes to mind when I think of this movie is "weird." And maybe "slow." But yea...for one single viewing if you have nothing else to do, it's not bad.
The house this couple will now be living in is gorgeous. Actually, I think the house was the star of the movie! Just beautiful...wonderfully decorated. Yea, the house was great! The rest of the movie? Well, it was weird and slow. But intriquing enough for me to keep watching.
The woman in charge of showing the couple around is stressing how many great activities there are to participate in at this retirement community. Golf, swimming, etc...and the grounds, just like the house, are absolutely gorgeous.
But there's a vibe. A mysterious sort of "something creepy is going on here" vibe. But not too creepy. Not like "horror movie creepy." Just more...mysterious. The old people who live at this place are strangely energetic for their ages. Also, strangely sexual. So, that doesn't add up.
Then there's the "butler" the couple is assigned...a really nice guy who keeps giving the man and the woman odd looks, like he "knows something they don't." Well...that's because he does.
After the woman's husband has a stroke (or maybe it was a heart attack) the husband is taken to the hospital in the development. After he returns home, he's changed! Suddenly, he has a ton more energy, whereas before, he barely wanted to leave the house. Plus...he always wants to have sex with his wife! He wants to go to parties and he even flirts with other old women. And....now the nice butler has mysteriously vanished, replaced by someone else!
What's going on here? Of course, I won't tell you, because that would give "everything" away. But I will say, it's not all that interesting. In fact, the "reveal" is a bit of a let-down.
I don't believe this is a movie I would ever watch again, once I know what "the secret" is. That was the whole thing that kept me glued in the first place....wanting to find out what was going on. And now that I know...
Anyway, would I recommend this movie? Yea, maybe for one viewing and one viewing only. The acting is okay, and like I said...the scenery is beautiful! The main character, the woman, was a bit unlikable I thought...unfortunately. Perhaps if they had chosen another actress, that would have made a difference. She has a very annoying voice.
Also, they should have added some more "action" to this movie....like maybe someone having an affair or something, just to kick it up. Oh well. The one word that comes to mind when I think of this movie is "weird." And maybe "slow." But yea...for one single viewing if you have nothing else to do, it's not bad.
Slow
nightroses26 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This started off promising, and later became weird. An old couple move into a really plush retirement home called Amaranth, which looks like a glitzy holiday resort. The main character Lily is about 60 years old without a single grey hair. She must dye her hair, After she visits her elderly father in an ordinary care home, she discovers that something is wrong with Amaranth. The people don't look as old as they should. Certain things don't make sense and there are grotesque scenes, one of them is the pig meat. An anti climax end.
Totally Predictable
qui_j28 September 2020
The plot and premise that forms the story is obvious within the first 30 minutes. The rest is just watching actors going through the motions and plodding through a boring, very rehashed theme. It's good for watching in the background when there's little else on. Must have been very low-budget.
A good premise, but too slow and unconvincing.
johannes2000-115 July 2022
The premise of this thriller is interesting and fairly original, but somehow it didn't live up to its potential. That is mainly due to the very slow pace and the lack of any serious action. It's all in the atmosphere, that is supposed to be sinister and creepy, but even that didn't really come about. What didn't help was Melora Walters as the intelligent and suspicious heroine Lily, she constantly acted cranky, sulky or angry, treated her well-meaning old husband (a fine role by Richard Kendrick) condescending, and had an irritating, slurry way of talking, as if she was constantly under the influence of downers.
After some 70 minutes Lily (and we) out of the blue got all the answers to the mysteries (as if the leading doctor of the facility suddenly decided to make a clean sweep!), and after that there is a weird sort of epilogue, in which we see how formerly outraged and indignant Lily a few years later nevertheless drops her principles when it suits her own benefit. It could have been a strong, cynical ending, if it hadn't been presented so abrupt and out of the blue, it looked like either an afterthought of someone in the production who was able to force it into the movie, or as if some substantial material was lost on the cutting table.
After some 70 minutes Lily (and we) out of the blue got all the answers to the mysteries (as if the leading doctor of the facility suddenly decided to make a clean sweep!), and after that there is a weird sort of epilogue, in which we see how formerly outraged and indignant Lily a few years later nevertheless drops her principles when it suits her own benefit. It could have been a strong, cynical ending, if it hadn't been presented so abrupt and out of the blue, it looked like either an afterthought of someone in the production who was able to force it into the movie, or as if some substantial material was lost on the cutting table.
Meh, but not b
madelineferraro31 December 2023
This film is just ok but it will not make you wish for your time back, which a lot of offers on streaming will make you do ! The story is very predictable but passable. At least it is set in not too far fetched reality vs some sci fi future. I found the acting good all around except for the acting of the two "harpy" type country club women, too over the top obnoxious. I haven't seen the female lead since she was in the HBO series "Big Love", so that was a nice surprise. I didn't care for the lighting or coloring throughout, maybe it lent to the "sinister" ambiance, but it was just too muddy. . If its a rainy cold day, and you have nothing else to watch, not a complete waste of your time.
Slow starting out.
sheliawells8258 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This was a good movie, although it was a bit confusing towards the end. I am not sure what was going on with Lily, when talking about her daughter needing a bone marrow transplant? Does that mean, she now agrees with what the doctors are doing and will pay for her daughter to through the process of getting a bone marrow patient?
Must watch!!!
mikeymikes-6701227 September 2020
Nifty medical thriller
Woodyanders29 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Elderly wealthy industrialist Richard Kendrick (the always excellent Jeffrey DeMunn) and his wife Lily (a fine and credible performance by Melora Walters) move into an isolated luxury community where the rich and powerful live their twilight years with incredible vitality. Naturally, said community is harboring a dark secret.
Director Albert Chi relates the absorbing story at a gradual pace, takes time to develop the main characters, grounds the fantastic premise in a believable everyday reality, and nicely captures a quietly unsettling sense of something sinister happening just underneath a deceptively pleasant surface.
The smart script by Eileen Shields asks a profound and provocative central question: How far would you go to live a longer and healthier life? The low-key manner the story gets told in gives this picture an extra chilling plausibility. Moreover, the sound acting by the capable cast keeps this movie humming: Christopher Denham as outwardly amiable (not so) mad scientist Dr. Alan Campbell, Shiva Negar as the sweet Mia, Brandon Scott as friendly butler Arthur, Susan Sullivan as cheery administrator Patsy Howard, and Harley Jane Kozak as perky yoga instructor Holly. A neat little film.
Director Albert Chi relates the absorbing story at a gradual pace, takes time to develop the main characters, grounds the fantastic premise in a believable everyday reality, and nicely captures a quietly unsettling sense of something sinister happening just underneath a deceptively pleasant surface.
The smart script by Eileen Shields asks a profound and provocative central question: How far would you go to live a longer and healthier life? The low-key manner the story gets told in gives this picture an extra chilling plausibility. Moreover, the sound acting by the capable cast keeps this movie humming: Christopher Denham as outwardly amiable (not so) mad scientist Dr. Alan Campbell, Shiva Negar as the sweet Mia, Brandon Scott as friendly butler Arthur, Susan Sullivan as cheery administrator Patsy Howard, and Harley Jane Kozak as perky yoga instructor Holly. A neat little film.
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