Review of How to Live Forever (2011) by Nancy A — 09 Jun 2012

Mark Wexler's wonderful documentary "How to Live Forever" is a funny, surprising and thoughtful exploration of life's third act. The curious, down-to-earth Wexler asks a lot of great questions of both ordinary and extraordinary people -- from a 94 year old practicing heart surgeon to cryonics patrons, from preachers to elder porn stars. Woven throughout the film are some of the leading voices on the study of aging, along with writers Marianne Williamson, Ray Bradbury, Suzanne Somers and his very zen friend Pico Iyer.

A few of the interviews he did stayed with me long after leaving the theater. For example, the high school teacher who encourages her teenage students to put rocks in their shoes and smear Vaseline on their glasses to teach them empathy for their elders and the Ms. Senior America pageant that made us laugh, cheer, and cry. The joie de vivre of Ms. Senior Arkansas, her outlook and optimistic approach to life are truly inspiring. It's not about retiring, it's about refiring!