FAB The Time Of Their Lives starring Joan Collins Pauline Collins & Franco Nero #FilmReview #TOTLFilm

Film review: The Time Of Their Lives starring Joan Collins, Pauline Collins and Franco Nero

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Published on Thursday, 09 March 2017 12:35

Last Updated on 09 March 2017

Monica Costa

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Ahead of Mother’s Day (26 March), Vertigo is releasing Roger Goldby’s feel-good comedy The Time Of Their Lives starring iconic legends including Golden Globe-winner Dame Joan Collins (DYNASTY, ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS: THE MOVIE), Oscar nominee Pauline Collins (SHIRLEY VALENTINE, QUARTET) and Italian heartthrob Franco Nero (DJANGO, DJANGO UNCHAINED). It’s out on 10 March.

The story

The Time Of Their Lives is a road trip like no other. Determined to gatecrash her ex-lover’s funeral on the glamorous French hideaway of Ile-de-Ré, former Hollywood siren Helen (Joan Collins) escapes her London retirement home with the help of Priscilla (Pauline Collins), a repressed English housewife stuck in a dwindling marriage whom she met by chance at a supermarket.

Pooling their limited resources, they hit the road in a race to get to Ile-de-Ré, becoming entangled in a love triangle with a reclusive Italian charming artist millionaire (Franco Nero) along the way.

On this unforgettable journey, they find true friendship in one another – and have the time of their lives.

The trailer

The verdict

I did not expect much before attending the world premiere of The Time Of Their Lives at Curzon Mayfair cinema last night. But I was excited to see Joan Collins and Franco Nero, two iconic actors I can remember since I was a teenager from their roles in Dinasty and Spaghetti Western films respectively.

Franco Nero in Spaghetti Western film ‘Brute and the Beast’

Despite feeling like yesterday, time has gone by and the roles they are playing these days are those of older people. In The Time Of Their Lives 75-year-old Franco Nero plays Italian millionaire Alberto who lives alone as a lonely widower. He surprised the audiences when he plunged in the pool fully naked in a scene that will be remembered for a long time. Not many actors can afford to face a full frontal nude shot at ease. I can only remember Michael Fassbender in Shame and he was very young there.

I could not resist a selfie with iconic Italian actor Franco Nero

Pauline Collins, 76, plays frustrated English housewife Priscilla living with a miserable husband who unfairly blames her for the death of their son (when he was 4). Pauline was also supposed to be naked in the pool scene but left Franco to be naked alone. Hats off for him to be confident and to prove he is still in good shape.

But, as you can imagine, the star of the show was 83-year-old Dame Joan Collins who is still stunning and energetic. I wish I’d be like her at that age. She steals the show. Walking the red carpet last night she confessed that the film shoot had been “very tough”, but that she was delighted with the outcome. She also confirmed that she will never be ready for retirement. She said: ‘I would be bored out of my mind!’.

I felt so inspired not just by these unbelievable professionals but also by their characters in the movie who suggest that everybody should live to the max and never give in to comfortable routines. My friend and I truly enjoyed the jokes, the dramas and the adventures brought to the big screen by three remarkable talents and came out of the cinema inspired and eager to follow their steps in pursuing our dreams.

Top Fashion was displayed by the actresses and guests to impress fashion guru Valentino who was sitting behind me. I was star-struck and emotional to see how many of my fellow Italians represented the most acclaimed talents in film and fashion.

Joan Collins and Liz Hurley at the premiere

Here is a fun Q&A with Joan Collins showing her unique wit and wisdom.

Q: What was the funniest moment on set?

Joan: When Franco Nero got out of the swimming pool stark naked! Like the Lady of the Lake!

Q: Who has been the most inspirational to you in your acting career?

Joan: Vivienne Leigh when I was a child, but the greatest actress today is Meryl Streep.

Q: On International Women’s Day, why do you think it’s important to tell female-focused stories?

Joan: I think it’s important to tell female-focused stories all the time! Not just one day a year!

Q: Are there any roles you didn’t get that you so wish you had?

Joan: Yes, Cleopatra! But Elizabeth Taylor pipped me to the post.

Q: Where do you get all that energy?

Joan: I was born with that energy! My Mother used to call me ‘Miss Perpetual Motion’. I’ve kept it up with a healthy and positive lifestyle.

Q: Who is the most famous celebrity that you have ever met?

Joan: That would be Robert Kennedy – the brother of JFK. He was the presidential candidate for 1968. He was the most famous and charismatic!

London Mums’ rating: 9/10

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The Time Of Their Lives is released in cinemas across the UK by VERTIGO RELEASING and UPHE CONTENT GROUP on 10th March 2017.

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Monica Costa

Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums