When widowed cabbie Ray picks up a fare from the local public [sic: private] school, little does he realize just how much it will change his world. His passenger is Jim, a Latin teacher, who has just retired…and never married. Jim is anxious to enjoy his retirement years and is determined finally to do two things he has never done: travel and fall in love.

 

Meanwhile, Ray, a widowed former football hooligan, has settled down to look after his two grown-up children: Little Ray is doing extremely well with a wife who believes he should be doing even better; and his daughter, Caz, who is not as well-off but has created a secure and loving family with her husband, with a fourth child on its way.

 

But as the anniversary of his wife's death approaches, Ray too is left wondering if there's anything more for him other than being the unpaid baby-sitter.

 

Despite coming from two very different worlds, Ray and Jim have an instant rapport - both realize that they're not as old as society would have them believe and that there's still a lot more they want to do. Yet the growing friendship between Ray and Jim feels threatening to Ray's children. They have their own plans for what their father should be doing in his retirement, and spending their inheritance isn't one of them -- Jim wants Ray to travel with him.

 

Little Ray and Caz uncover some uncomfortable truths, and Ray and Jim have to come to terms with the prejudices of ageism, family loyalty and love.  A beautiful story.

 

 

19 minutes

 

Cynical Bill (Michael Marcus) is forced to share a hospital room with fellow octegenarian Terry (Michael Higgins).  Bill is so upset over his new roommate’s obvious homosexuality that he sputters and spews hoping to get rid of him, too afraid even to go to the bathroom for fear Terry will look at his exposed butt under the flimsy nightgown. But, Terry has been through and seen it all, and takes Bill’s hysteria in stride. Finally, Bill comes around to Terry’s pure humanity and the two reach across to friendship – once again proving, it’s never too late to change your outlook.  

 

Filmed on location in a New York City hospital.  Both lead actors are 85-year-old WWII veterans, and draw on considerable film and stage experience to shine in this gem of a short film.