Been Rich All My Life

Isn't that a pleasure to discover a great movie? Pick a movie simply by a brief review and see it without knowing much about it. And that happens to be one of the best movies you see in a year. Been Rich All My Life is my recent discovery at Quad Cinema in Union Square, NY.

I picked this documentary simply because of a NY Times movie reviewer's suggestion. Did a bit of web surfing to find out about it. It's about a group of old black ladies–average age of 86–who used to be chorus dancers in pre-war Harlem. Now after over 60 years, They reunited to start a dance team, Silver Bells, and had shows throughout the city.

Even though they can't lift their legs high to the face or stretch their backs or the steps are not as powerful as they used to be, theie dance is steady enough to keep the rhythm. One of the ladies still teaches dance to young dancers. Their dance is not counting 1, 2, 3... It's all with the rhythm that remained in their soul and body. Perhaps, young dancers can dance faster steps but they still cannot dance the way the Silver Belles do.

As entertaining and encouraging as it is, this movie also deliveres the real, sad truth. None of these ladies is an iron grandma: They are old, undeniably, and they do have to face with issues and fears of aging. Surrounded by many senior audience and a group of teen dance team, I cried and laughed. I recommend this movie to all women regardless of age. You will surely learn and feel something out of this movie.