In real life actress Catherine Zeta-Jones is going to be 40 years old later this month and she’s married to actor Michael Douglas since year 2000. Most people don’t know that they were born on the same day – September 25th despite 25 years of age difference.
“The Rebound” is Zeta-Jones’ latest film in which she falls in love with a 25 year old manny﹙male babysitter﹚after separation from her cheating husband. Hence the title “The Rebound” it’s about the next relationship following a breakup. However, the buzz is about the age difference between the couple, especially when the woman is 15 years older than the man. The tagline, “she’s still got it and he’s just getting it”, sums up what this film is all about.
I like “The Rebound” because it’s more real than most romantic comedy I’ve seen so far this year. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Sandy, a single mother of two, starts over in New York City and re-enters the workforce. She’s juggling between a new job, kids and born again life. Justin Bartha is Aram﹙interesting choice of name﹚, a recent university graduate who hasn’t found his calling in life, still lives with his parents and makes minimum wages at a coffee shop. They fall in love with each other, struggle for social acceptance and eventually break up. The dilemma is all too real because it’s what ordinary people have to deal with while searching for true love. By the way the two child actors are surprisingly pleasant and they have the quirkiest punch lines throughout the film.
The happy ending will make you feel warm at heart as you leave the theater and that’s probably what most people would like to have in their lives. Even though art imitates life oftentimes it’s rather difficult for life to imitate art. Therefore we turn to cinema for our unfulfilled dreams that become true on the screen. It gives us hopes. In real life Sandy and Aram might not meet again after their sudden breakup. Or they might find new love and meet again randomly. Or they might remain single for the rest of their lives and never find their soulmate. In “The Rebound” Sandy and Aram run into each other again five years later and both are single and pick up from where they left off. Voilà! That’s the kind of happy ending we’d wish to occur in reality.
On a monthly basis I watch an average of 10 to 12 films. Sometimes I don’t get the film at all and have to turn to my film critic friends for their insights. As for “The Rebound” my personal epiphany is that in order to make any relationship work love simply is not enough. You need faith, courage, confidence and most importantly, timing. When timing is wrong a seemingly happy relationship will result in bitter ending.
Just the other day I read it somewhere that 40 is the new 20. Since I’m two months away from turning 36 is it safe to say that 36 is the new 16?! LOL. When I was 18 I dated a 36 year old man – twice of my age. When I asked him why he wanted to date a college freshman his reply will forever be stuck in my head, “because men mature slower than women by about 10 years. Therefore I’m only 26 mentally while you’re in deed far more mature than 18.”
Now I’m closing in on 36 I almost laugh my head off when a 24 year old man tries to hit on me recently. He says proudly, “I just graduated from law school and I have a very promising career ahead of me!” I can’t help it but have to spite him a little, “I already had a very promising career and now I’m waiting for the second wind!”
It seems like the combination of older man younger woman is more socially accepted than the older woman younger man formula. Thanks to the recent rise of Cougars in Hollywood. Now we see more cougars romantically involved with young gorgeous studs.
Hollywood cougars are often pop icons. The list can go on forever. From Sophia Loren, Cher, Bo Derek, Madonna to Demi Moore they are talented powerhouse! And why wouldn’t young men be attracted to classy, fabulous and mature women despite the age difference? Of course true love sees neither color nor age difference. On the other hand not every love is meant to end up with a dream-like “live happily ever after.” Different strokes for different folks, who are we to judge other people’s love life? All in all, whatever makes you happy that’s true love! Don’t let others dictate how your love life should be! What matters the most is as long as you’re happy!
P.S. The other day a friend of mine and I were chatting about the current phenomenon of cougars everywhere. She turned to me and said, “In 3 years my son is going to be 18. You’d better keep your hands off him! This is a forewarning!” I couldn’t stop laughing at her but she was dead serious! Then I remember an equation, “half of your age plus seven = the youngest you can date.” So, that means when I turn 39, the youngest man I can get involved with is 26.5. Okay Nancy, your son is free to go. LOL!
