The Age of Adaline

Adaline Bowman, portrayed by Blake Lively, is shown acquiring counterfeit IDs in a San Francisco apartment. The forger, intrigued by her choice of age, suggests she could easily appear younger, to which she responds with a gracious smile, appreciating his kindness. Curious about his life choices, Adaline questions why he resorts to forgery given his evident potential. As she leaves, she points out that the signed baseballs on his desk reveal his true identity, stating, “It’s the little things that slip you up.”

Returning home, Adaline is welcomed by her loyal dog, a constant companion that has shared her extraordinary life for over a century. She recalls the countless times she has raised the same dog as she prepares for her work at the library’s archives. During her job, she comes across a film reel that reveals her remarkable journey: born on New Year’s Day in 1908, she experienced love and loss after becoming a widow due to her husband’s tragic accident while constructing the Golden Gate Bridge. A freak accident involving a lightning strike leaves her forever 29. Initially, this seems like a blessing, but as her daughter, now played by Ellen Burstyn, continues to age, the truth becomes unavoidable.

After being pulled over by a police officer who questions her ID, Adaline realizes the dangers of living a lie and chooses to disappear, adopting new identities every decade to elude those who would uncover her secret. One rainy evening, a close call with two FBI agents propels her into a life of constant change and secrecy, leading to an emotional farewell with her now adult daughter.

In present-day San Francisco, Adaline opens a new bank account under a fresh alias and reminisces about past investments that have set her up financially. On New Year’s Eve, she attends a gala where she spots a photograph of herself with friends from a bygone era. While mingling at the party, she runs into Ellis Jones, played by Michiel Huisman, a young man who catches her eye. Their brief exchange is flirty yet guarded, and as the clock strikes midnight, a charming conversation ensues, though Adaline remains elusive.

The following day, to her surprise, Ellis arrives at her workplace, introducing himself as a benefactor who recognizes her from previous meetings. He persuades her into a photo session for publicity, challenging her to a date when she initially declines. After a witty discussion, they embark on a light-hearted adventure through the underbelly of the city, where Adaline only shares the bare minimum about herself.

Their connection deepens over shared meals and laughter, and when Ellis invites her to his family’s anniversary party, she agrees, amidst an internal struggle about her past. At the party, she encounters his father, Harrison Ford, who calls her by her mother’s name, stirring troubling memories.

As the night unfolds, loving memories resurface as William, Ellis’s father, recalls details from Adaline’s life, weaving a story that intertwines their pasts. Conflicted emotions reignite as memories of her former life begin to haunt her.

After a series of bittersweet moments and a touching heart-to-heart with her daughter, Adaline grapples with her choice to maintain her distance from Ellis. Ultimately, as she decides to embrace authenticity, tragedy strikes when she meets with an accident, followed by a miraculous recovery that allows her to accept the inevitability of time and love.

In the end, as Adaline prepares to celebrate another New Year’s Eve, she notices a change in herself—a sign of aging, a bittersweet reminder of her humanity restored. With hope ahead, she steps into a new chapter of her life, enriched by love and family, as the long-anticipated arrival of Della the meteor serves as a symbol of timeless beauty that shines brighter than ever.

Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 18:55