Adaline Bowman, portrayed by Blake Lively, is observed acquiring fake IDs in an apartment situated in San Francisco. The forger inquires about her choice to appear 29, suggesting she could easily reduce her age. Adaline graciously smiles, recognizing his compliment. As she departs, she probes into his reasons for forging documents, hinting at his real potential, and cleverly points out that the autographed baseballs on his desk reveal his true identity: "It's the little things that slip you up," she remarks.
Upon returning to her apartment, Adaline is greeted by her beloved dog, a constant companion throughout her 107 years of life, as she has repetitively raised the same dog. Realizing she is late for her job at the library's archives, she hurriedly heads out. While at work, a film reel captures portions of her past: she was born on New Year's Day in 1908, got married, had a child, and faced the tragedy of becoming a widow after her husband tragically died while working on the Golden Gate Bridge. One fateful night, while driving to her parents' house, an unexpected snowstorm leads to a harrowing car accident coupled with a lightning strike, which astonishingly halts her aging — leaving her eternally 29 years old.
Initially, this phenomenon slips under the radar. However, as her daughter, played by Ellen Burstyn, ages, the truth becomes increasingly evident. When a police officer takes notice of her ID, which indicates she is in her late 40s, Adaline is compelled to go into hiding, embarking on a mission to produce a new identity and look every decade. A poignant farewell to her daughter marks her decision to live a life on the run.
In contemporary times, Adaline adds a co-signer to her account, reflecting on her prosperous investments from long ago, particularly in Xerox, which have contributed to her current financial ease. With plans to escape to a farm in Oregon, she finds herself at a hotel party on New Year's Eve. Adaline is momentarily distracted by an old photo of herself with friends, taken decades earlier. During the party, she encounters Ellis Jones, played by Michael Huisman, an artist from a affluent family. Their brief interaction stirs something within her, especially when he unsuccessfully attempts to woo her with charm.
At midnight, Adaline calls her daughter, who sings Happy Birthday over the phone, confirming lunch plans for the following day. A young man approaches her, attempting a cliché pick-up line that elicits a smirk from Adaline. The next day at work, her colleagues mention an esteemed benefactor arriving to donate books; to her surprise, it's Ellis again! He offers books adorned with flowers — a nod to their earlier conversation — and cunningly threatens to retract his donation unless she agrees to a date, which leaves her with little choice.
The subsequent scenes unravel their budding romance as they traverse various unique locales in San Francisco, including historical tunnels. However, Adaline keeps her past closely guarded, only disclosing minimal information about herself, citing, "I have a dog." After a heartfelt moment with her daughter regarding the prospect of moving into a retirement home, which Adaline dreads, hints of her growing loneliness emerge.
A significant turning point occurs when she realizes her deep-seated yearning for companionship. After reflecting on old photographs, Adaline decides to reconnect with Ellis, leading to romantic explorations such as a nostalgic drive-in movie night. Yet, Adaline's heart is soon filled with trepidation as she faces unexpected memories from her past. This unsettling reminder resurfaces at a family gathering when she meets Ellis' father, William Jones, played by Harrison Ford, who instantly recognizes her as the woman who has been a historic figure in his life.
As William recalls fond memories of Adaline and how they once planned a future together, the rings of unfulfilled dreams echo in their conversations. With growing intensity, the weight of her secret begins to suffocate Adaline, and she finds herself at a crossroads between love and self-preservation. A fateful series of decisions leads to tragedy when an accident occurs while she's driving through the woods, reigniting the snow that once halted her aging.
In the chaotic aftermath, Adaline must confront her past, her future with Ellis, and the legacy she wishes to leave behind. When she wakes up, decisions made amid turmoil reveal not only the depths of her love for Ellis but also brush away the cobwebs of her fears. One year later, as the New Year dawns, Adaline spots the first sign of aging — a single gray hair, symbolic of her transition into humanity after a long, isolated journey. The reappearance of 'Della,' the fabled meteor she once knew, marks a hopeful new beginning, shining brighter than ever in her renewed life.
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