a 19yo moves into an assisted living facility in florida, to learn more of the "outcasts" from society, as he feels the 80-90yo residents are. this is an upscale place; well maintained and elegant. andrew quickly integrates into the culture, bonding with several of the residents while asking them questions such as the meaning of life, love and death. we learn that most don't want to be here; it's the only place they can be. with no families to accept them into private homes or no willingness to impose on their children, these seniors have made harbor place their home. andrew is charming and obviously cares deeply for these new found friends. he experiences laughter and good heartedness as well as sadness. we see the fragility of these people; vibrant one week and seriously ill the next. the 4 weeks bring experiences that will last andrew a lifetime and likely guide his decisions in the future.
as a postscript, i just read a little more about andrew jenks, an up and coming director. his father is assistant secretary general of the UN. he made this film while attending NYU. he's made other films sense, as well as doing the award winning cable show, "world of jenks". i'm not surprised to hear that he comes a bit out of privilege to this role. i wondered all while i was watching it how he could afford the time and cost to make this documentary happen. way to go, andrew jenks!
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