Gerontophilia

Gerontophilia is an unusual, deeply emotional, and thought-provoking film that premiered in 2013. It stars Pier-Gabriel Lajoie, Walter Borden, and Katie Boland, superb talents who collectively bring out the best in their characters. This film was directed by Bruce LaBruce, a renowned figure in Canadian filmmaker popular for his bold, artistic, and often provocative style. While focusing on a less understood and rarely addressed topic of age and the complexities of human desires, LaBruce manages to wrap it up into a poignant story without trying to moralize or sensationalize its subject matter.

The narrative follows Lake, portrayed by Pier-Gabriel Lajoie, an 18-year old teenager who realizes he is fascinated by older people, specifically older males, and has unconventional romantic and sexual yearnings. This is, essentially, the titular "gerontophilia" - the romantic or sexual preference for the elderly. Although Lake has a girlfriend, Desiree (Katie Boland), who is an outspoken feminist, Lake finds himself inexplicably drawn towards older men, a discovery that he himself struggles to comprehend.

One day, Lake lands a summer job at an old folks' home where he comes across an 82-year old man named Mr. Peabody, convincingly enacted by Walter Borden. Witty, cerebral, and full of captivating stories, Mr. Peabody adds a quaint charm to this curiosity-driven narrative. The relationship between Lake and this octogenarian gentleman goes beyond a simple caregiver-patient relationship; it brings into play unanticipated feelings, secret desires, and philosophical conversations.

Despite the story's primary focus on Lake’s sentimental journey, the interplay between the characters, and especially the genuine connection between Lake and Mr. Peabody, contributes to highlighting multiple dimensions to the storyline. Gerontophilia is undeniably a daring movie, taking viewers along taboo frontiers of human sentiments and sexuality.

The script of Gerontophilia is beautifully written, taking an extremely sensitive topic and enfolding it within a story that is as heartfelt as it is bold. The writing dares to explore unconventional and thought-provoking themes, letting the viewers question their own perspectives towards age, love, and sexual desires. Boland, in particular, carries the spirit of the story adeptly, allowing her character to be a voice for wisdom and resilience in the face of societal norms and expectations.

The exceptional cinematography and scenic locations add even more depth to the narrative, portraying the slow-paced life at the elderly home, the poverty-stricken surroundings, and the youthful escapism, providing the viewing experience a mixture of stark contrasts and eye-catching visuals.

Although the movie's subject matter concerns aspects of sexuality, age and desire which some viewers may find challenging, Gerontophilia stays away from any form of sensationalism. It dives into the depth of human nature, revealing the core of our sentiments, and the complexity that accompanies them - all while painting a very personal picture of passion and affection regardless of conventional societal norms.

An additional layer of the movie’s narrative deals with the western society’s generally ambivalent behavior towards the elderly. In the film, viewers are invited to consider how old people are often marginalized, forgotten, and emotionally neglected in society, a sentiment further amplified by Lake's compassionate interactions with the elderly residents of the retirement home and his distinctive romantic attraction.

In conclusion, Gerontophilia is an enthralling film telling a unique love story in a world where there is no right or wrong, young or old. It's not just a story about an uncommon infatuation or attraction, but it is about personal discovery, societal norms, acceptance, love, and the relationships that massively shape our lives. It paints a picture of ageless love, unconventional though it may be, and strums chords that are universal – empathy, understanding, and above all, the pursuit of happiness. An undeniably daring and distinctive cinema experience, Gerontophilia pushes the boundaries of what films and audiences often explore. It’s a movie that will undoubtedly leave viewers thinking long after the credits roll.