The Keaton-Freeman Stairway to Heaven

Frankly, my interest in the story line of 5 Flights Up waxed and waned. The terrorist subplot — an obvious reminder that not only old folks dwell in a world of shadowy uncertainty — is mostly a distraction. And the parade of lookie-loos who flock to Ruth and Alex's open house tend to grate more than they entertain.

Flashbacks give us a taste of what Ruth and Alex endured as an interracial couple 40 years ago. Korey Jackson is fine as young Alex, but Claire van der Boom's performance as youthful Ruth is so spot-on that you may think you're watching outtakes of Keaton on the set of Annie Hall. Race, however, is only a subtext here. These two have been so in love for so long — and have moved so far beyond those early troubles — that only a spoilsport would introduce racial tension into their later years. Besides, this is Brooklyn, where they were greeted with open arms 40 years ago. Why would that change now?

Many a narrative trap awaits a later-life love story like 5 Flights Up, and I was certainly on the lookout for them: When will we learn one of the principals has a fatal disease? Which one is surely suffering the early stages of dementia? I got to thinking it was just a matter of time before one of them took a tumble down those five flights.

It's no spoiler to reveal that none of my fears came to fruition. A pleasant film about good people who arrive at a happy ending, it may not turn Academy heads at Oscar time. But the breezy presence of Keaton and Freeman feels like a visit with old friends, making 5 Flights Upa warmhearted reminder that there's no express elevator through life's tougher climbs.

Bill Newcott is a writer, editor and movie critic for AARP Media.