At Middleton

This is one of my all time favorite movies! Beautiful, funny, great chemistry between Andy Garcia and Vera Farmiga. I’d love to see a sequel.

At Middleton, is a delightful romantic comedy about two middle aged adults, with very different personalities that can't deny the reality of what they find in a day. George Hartman, (Andy), is a stuffy cardiac surgeon and Edith Martin, (Vera), is a free spirited children's furniture store owner. They instantly take a dislike to each other in the parking lot where they are taking their children on a college tour of Middleton. They decide to take a tour of the college on their own. Both are married and that isn't known until the movie progresses. They both admit that their individual marriages aren't working and they are experiencing the empty nest syndrome. Although it wasn't planned, they find the love of a lifetime. George becomes captivated in a single day by feelings that he hasn't felt for years and Edith discovers that she is attracted to George, although she first tries to deny it.There are many fun and dramatic moments in this movie. The "borrowing" of bicycles to take a ride and being followed by college security, the very dramatic drama class and lunch together, the piano playing, and the scenes in the Bell Tower are very engaging by Andy and Vera. This film contains a very powerful message. There is the realization that some things in life only last for a moment but that a brief encounter can bring heart felt memories that last forever. It is something that can't easily be dismissed. The last line is a sad one, " Let's take the long way home, " George tells his son as they drive away. Although the ending was sad, I am one fan that is hoping that it is for more than a day. I have read where Andy Garcia is aware that viewers of this movie would like a sequel and see George and Edith together. I hope this becomes a reality.I have followed Andy Garcia's career for many years and Vera Farmiga is an actress that is being recognized as one of the great actresses of our time. As some say, Vera is a young Meryl Streep and I believe that. These two make a beautiful couple and it is refreshing to see them both in the comedy scenes together even though they are both known for their very dramatic films which both have earned them awards. I think the comedy is hilarious and this movie is worth seeing.Taissa Farmiga as Audrey Martin and Spencer Lofranco as Conrad Hartman did credible performances as the teenagers attempting to choose a college, and trying to find their own way, leaving the nest egg on their own terms. I have watched this movie more than once and I am sure it will always be one of my very favorites.

At Middleton is one of those movies that seems like it will either inspire a deep seated understanding and, dare I say, love of the content or just rise the ire of those who cannot stand for anyone to consider liking anything with even a hint of the amoral. But, realistically, there is a lot of realism in the story of two parents taking a college tour with their children and, over the course of the day, discovering mutual attraction amongst the turmoil of having to return to their separate lives with their significant others but without the child being around in the future. Andy Garcia is a joy in anything and Vera Farmiga has shown she has the ability to hang with the best. There's something well suited yet awkward about these two the moment the characters meet on screen that works.Now, the film isn't perfect and there are plenty of moments that just about jump the shark, particularly in the final third. These moments either seem to be more for comedic or dramatic effect and only sort of help the characters reach the inevitable conclusion. The ending for this romdramcom is more of the dramatic but realistic sort. As much as I wanted to hate the ending, I appreciated the twists and turns the film took while balancing the story of the parents with that of the children and then having the guts to not make it an easy ending. For that alone I'm willing to overlook the weird and almost inappropriate diversions on occasion. At Middleton might not be the cream of the crop, but what it does well is reflect how our decisions define the course of our lives and how our expectations can often be thwarted if we hold them too close.

I laughed out loud. I see two parents, and neither of them is happy in their married life. They meet and they simply see each other's sadness beneath it all. They spark joy in each other with no judgment. I enjoyed it. It's also interesting to watch the kids on their own paths (I wonder if the daughter grew up sensing the mom's unhappiness and this is why she shows up so tightly wound). When it ended I felt like I'd been entertained, I felt lighter and as if I could continue watching the conversation between them or even have my own conversation about life and love. I think that's what a romcom is supposed to do.

Really like this film! I have become a fan of Vera Farmiga ever since I saw her in the Source Code. But this film proves she can do comedy too! Interesting exploration of two people, both sending their respective kids to college, who meet and have a fun, silly day together, realise they like each other but are broken to some extent over the impossibility of the situation. Lots of laughs and great acting along the way! Recommended!

A romance with a difference. Difficult parts to play at times I imagine but well done the stars!

Always a great watch

I love this film way more than I was expecting to. Vera Farmiga is brilliant as always.

Originally titled "At Middleton"See Wikipedia for an excellent summary