1. What do you see in the film that does not fit the stereotypical views we sometimes have of older people? For example, in what ways does Louis and Reva's story challenge stereotypical attitudes toward sexuality in old age?
2. What is unique about the Louis and Reva's relationship? Why do they get along so well?
3. Were you surprised to learn that Louis and Reva were living together, but not married? Why? What was your reaction to the wedding scene at the end of the film? Why is that scene an appropriate climax to the film?
4. How did you respond when you saw Louis and Reva kiss as they sat on the sofa in her house? How would you characterize their intimacy as it is represented in the film?
5. What scene most clearly communicates the close relationship that exists between Louis and Reva?
6. How were you affected by Louis and Reva's reminiscences about their spouses and families? How do their reminiscences provide same perspective on their characters and backgrounds?
7. What idiosyncratic touches does the filmmaker employ to reveal Louis and Reva's characters? In what ways are their philosophies of life similar and/or compatible? In what ways are their philosophies of life different?
8. What does "art" mean to Louis and Reva? How has their love for art helped them overcame personal losses? How has it contributed to their lave for each other?
9. In one scene we see Louis and Reva visiting an art gallery. In what ways did their interaction in that scene surprise you? What are same of the sources of humor in that scene?
10. How would you compare the two portraits of Reva painted by Louis? (He painted the first one three weeks after her son drowned, and he is working on the second in a late scene)? What do those two portraits reveal about her character?
11. What are same of the ways Louis and Reva remain "young at heart"?
12. In what ways does their story of meeting each other and falling in love remind you of the experience of young people? What point is the filmmaker trying to make by establishing the basis for that comparison?
13. Why is it appropriate that we hear George Burns singing "Young at Heart" at the end of the film?
14. How do you think an audience of senior citizens would respond to this film? Would they react differently from an audience of young people?
15. What is the film trying to communicate about the following aspects of the experience of old age: friendship, companionship, love, sexuality?

The Great Circle of Life--Home Page

Text of The Great Circle of Life: A Resource Guide to Films and Videos on Aging, copyright © 1987, 1999, 2005, Robert E. Yahnke. All photographs copyrighted by Robert E. Yahnke.  All rights reserved.  Contact author for permission to copy photographs or reprint portions of text.

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