I’m not sure why I was on the theatre’s website but when I saw this movie advertised it was one I wanted to see; two great actors together in one show and playing characters their own ages.

Ian McKellen (Roy) and Helen Mirren (Betty) meet online through a dating site. Neither of them has told the real truth about themselves. Early on you see that Roy is a con man and Betty is his next target.

Through the movie I was pretty sure I knew what was going to happen and there were cheers from the audience when it did.

It is an all-star cast but I didn’t really enjoy it much.

Shakespeare has retired and, after many years away, he is back living with his family. After so long an absence his presence in the home is less appreciated than he would like.

I walked into the darkened theatre just a few minutes before the movie started. As I scanned the crowd looking for a seat it was a sea of white hair, and mostly women. My hair may have been darker than some but I was quite looking forward to the movie.

The entire crew is back – upstairs and downstairs. It took a little time to remember who was married to whom and the back story behind each character. Neither Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith) or Isobel Merton (Penelope Wilton) have lost their sharp tongues and wit. Queen Mary is played by Geraldine James; she plays Marilla in Anne with an “E” on television. Although I was doubtful whether or not I’d like someone other than Colleen Dewhurst as Marilla, she didn’t disappoint in that role either.

I wasn’t one bit disappointed in the movie – I wish it could go on forever.

A Chinese family, living in New York, receive word that their matriarch is dying. All of her family return to China on the pretext of a wedding because no one wants to tell her that she is dying.

Seems sad, but it is all quite humorous and I loved the relationship between the grandmother and granddaughter (who feels her grandma has the right to know).

Pat and I sat through all the credits just to find out the name of one of the songs in the soundtrack! Although we could hum along to it and knew the words we didn’t know the name.