The Unstoppable June Squibb
June Squibb, 95, knows how to play to her age–and defy it. Last week, I saw a screening of her new movie Eleanor the Great, directed by Scarlett Johansson. Squibb plays Eleanor, a 94-year-old woman living in Florida, who loses her best friend and is then pressured into moving back to New York City to live with her daughter, played by Jessica Hecht.
As she wrestles with the dueling factors of being treated like an incapable old woman by her daughter while still, as she puts it, feeling like the same person she’s always been, she stumbles on an unconventional way to memorialize her dear friend, which stirs up a bit of trouble.
Along the way, the movie shines a light on the beauty and mutual benefits of intergenerational friendships.
Squibb, who has no plans to retire, (you might remember her from the movie Thelma in 2024) will also be hitting the stage on Broadway in December, starring alongside Cynthia Nixon in Marjorie Prime. Learn more about Squibb’s career at E!News.
Envisioning a Less Ageist Society
The Stanford Center on Longevity will host Century Summit V, January 22-23, 2025, with limited in-person attendance at Stanford and a virtual audience around the world. The conference will focus on challenging ageism and creating a positive intergenerational society. Attendance is free, and more information, along with the registration link, can be found by following the link below.
Teaching Communities How to Address the Loneliness Epidemic
The U.S. Surgeon General declared social isolation an urgent public health concern, noting it impacts half of all American adults, with younger and older cohorts experiencing the most severe effects. The nonprofit, CoGenerate, is offering an innovators’ program designed to teach communities how to bring the two age groups together to bridge the loneliness gap. Apply to be part of the free, 5-week learning experience (applications due September 6).
Movie Focuses on Elder Fraud and Age-Irrelevant Relationships
This week we’re recommending the movie “Thelma,” starring the formidable and delightful 94-year-old June Squibb. Part Mission Impossible, part Harold and Maude, it’s a comedy with something serious to say—about elder fraud and the value of intergenerational connection. Question: Are all badass women named Thelma?
Follow the link below to see Roger Ebert’s review.
Friends with Benefits
No, not that kind. The kind that comes with multi-generational insights, shared experiences, and humor. The New York Times reports on the mutually positive effects and surprising benefits that can arise when youngsters and oldsters hang out and cultivate friendship.
The Counter-Intuitiveness of Aging Exuberantly
One secret: Generations don’t have to be separated by gaps. The New York Times reports that with good communication, wisdom and insights can flow reciprocally from young to old.