Review of The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (2013) by Phil P — 23 Oct 2015

"I like to blow stuff up".

I can see why this isn't too everyone's taste. The story jumps around more than any other film Iv'e ever seen. It's links are often nonsensical and ludicrous. This one man meeting all these world leaders, spies and helping on the Manhattan project. And not to mention the slightly off make-up on the 100-year old who is clearly some ways off that actual age. Yet I loved it all.

I think the aforementioned ludicrous plot and more or less impossible events add to the comedy and I think they're intended too. 'The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared' is about just that a 100 year-old man and his adventures present and past. As on his birthday he decides to just get out and leave his retirement home. Along the way he's pursed by a biker gang (due to accidentally taking their suitcase full of money or should I just say not really caring) and a P.I who's just trying to find him.

It's a road trip movie with 'Allan' coming across people he eventually calls friend who all get stuck in with this suitcase full of cash. A lonely man who is the only resident in a town, an indecisive student who has hundreds of credits but has never finished a single course and a women who knows what she wants. It's very absurdist more so when you see flashbacks of Allan's childhood or his meeting with Franco and Starlin and how they come about. They aren't necessarily believable but with Allan's nature they feel somewhat natural.

'Allan' comes across as untouchable and going with the flow - oh and he loves blowing things up. It's surprisingly funny, more so at towards the beginning. Absudism is probably my favourite genre of comedy so when it uses the barest of threads narratively or picks something out like Einstein's idiot brother I was laughing a lot. I found it really interesting despite it's over the top nature just seeing Allan's care-free attitude clash with those who are serious around him - or in Franco's case oblivious is a joy. His relationship is always different with each flash-back, some are friends, some unknowingly enemies and some staunchly serious.

That's not to say there aren't any problems despite the great start it does progressively get worse, not by all that much but to the point where it's noticeable the jokes have dried up and its coming an end.

It might narratively all the place but that's part of its charm. It's story, is ridiculous, it's full of absurdist situations and moments 'The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared' is as crazy as it's over-long detailed title suggests.