How to Live Forever
How to Live Forever
NR | 13 May 2011 (USA)
How to Live Forever Trailers

Director Mark Wexler embarks on a worldwide trek to investigate just what it means to grow old and what it could mean to really live forever. But whose advice should he take? Does 94-year-old exercise guru Jack LaLanne have all the answers, or does Buster, a 101-year-old chain-smoking, beer-drinking marathoner? What about futurist Ray Kurzweil, a laughter yoga expert, or an elder porn star? Wexler explores the viewpoints of delightfully unusual characters alongside those of health, fitness and life-extension experts in this engaging new documentary, which challenges our notions of youth and aging with comic poignancy. Begun as a study in life-extension, How To Live Forever evolves into a thought-provoking examination of what truly gives life meaning.

Reviews
AskMK

Director Mark Wexler freaks out about growing older, and decides to fight back. Luckily for us, he takes his camera along for the journey. With characteristic wit and depth, Wexler tackles the complex and prickly subject of aging with a surprising variety of opinions. This gem of a film gives us the cutting-edge science of futurist Ray Kurzweil, the wisdom of author Marianne Williamson, and the genius of science fiction legend Ray Bradbury, alongside more controversial voices like a 101 year old chain-smoking marathoner and an elder porn star. Wexler works out with fitness legend Jack LaLanne, contemplates a future on ice at a cryonics lab, laughs with comedienne Phyllis Diller, drinks gallons of green tea, and extracts promises of immortality from life-extension expert Aubrey de Grey, but draws a blank when asked by his friend, writer Pico Iyer, the actual merits of simply wanting more. It is the ultimate question, and one the director sagely leaves to the viewer. After all, as the subtitle warns us, results may vary.

... View More
courtesyflushblush

The movie is about Mark Wexler's search for purpose in a world full of commercialism and trivial meanderings. Here, the human condition is highlighted in interviews with the young and old, famous and humble, happy and melancholic; essentially the fragility of life is matched against our inherit fear of death. Thus, there is a strong sense of urgency in the film's message which dares its audience to get out of their seat and into life.I gave this movie ten out of ten because of its eclectic cast which is dominated by those well into the later stages in life, and despite the inevitable grievances of aging, these characters never roll over, but embrace the opportunities and miracles in every stage of life. http://lat.ms/mBlPmG

... View More
Megan Daniels

"If there was a pill to live for 500 years, would you take it?" The million dollar question asked throughout this film by director Mark Wexler. From Eleanor Wasson, a 100 year old vegetarian that drinks vodka every night, to Buster, a 101 year old beer drinking, marathon runner, what is the true secret to living a longer life and is it fulfilling to do so? In this terrific documentary, the audience is taken on a journey through multiple characters around the world that are quite unique and delightful to watch. Their stories have inspired me to live my life to the fullest and I find it will do the same for you.

... View More
FilmRap

If only this documentary could really tell you how to do it or even come close. Director, writer and producer Mark S. Wexler who has also been a successful photojournalist as well as a documentary maker is the son of an award winning cinema photographer. He has used his own funds to make this film, which basically looks at old people and tries to explain what is their secret to a long life. He doesn't really come up with an answer other than maybe they have a passion for living and don't worry very much about dying. Perhaps the film could have used a better focus and a stronger point of view. We also found it very interesting that in all the interviews, the role of family never came up in the questions or in the discussion, nor were any children or grandchildren ever shown. There were certainly some unforgettable characters such as the 114 year old women from Indiana who was the oldest person in the world at that moment, the Senior Beauty Pageant and the effervescent Ms. Arkansas who was competing for the national crown, the funeral directors conference in Las Vegas where the latest marketing ploys reflected the attitudes of the baby boomers about their mortality, the 93 year old guy in Oklahoma who would regularly eat a diet which is the antitheses of a healthy diet and a clip of Wexler with the unforgettable Jack LaLane who actually died this year at age of 96. The subtitle of this movie is "Results May Vary" and this probably sums up how we think most people will react to this film. (2011)

... View More