AARP Eye Center
The audience leaped to its feet repeatedly at AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards on Jan. 28 in Beverly Hills, California, giving standing ovations as big stars made unforgettable memories while accepting honors for the best shows and films made by and for people over 50 in 2022.
The vibes were sweet, the atmosphere informal, the laughter frequent. Just before the show began, host Alan Cumming, 58, explained what made the evening so special for him. “I like award ceremonies because you see people in a very vulnerable state and at their most authentic [selves]. And I really love that. I love the emotion of it all.”
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And there were plenty of moments to celebrate. Here are some of the best. (You can watch AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards on Great Performances on PBS on Friday, Feb. 17, at 9 p.m. ET.)
(Left to right) Jamie Lee Curtis and Brian Tyree Henry
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Jamie Lee Curtis makes being 64 sound like the best thing you could ever want
The Everything Everywhere All at Once and Halloween star elicited not one but two standing ovations as she accepted the Career Achievement Award. “The truth of the matter is, I love grownups. ... They say please and thank you and often write thank-you notes. And they mostly say what they mean and mean what they say and try not to say it mean.”
“For the most part, I really like being a grownup. All of that prepubescent and adolescent angst and tsuris and bad haircuts and clothing choices really disappear when grownups grow up. I love that we sort of know who we are and what we’re about and what we like and what we don’t like, and that has given me the greatest confidence. I love that we know that we’re here for something more than shiny things and Instagram likes. I love that we know and recognize that it’s our responsibility to do our part before we die to simply make the world better.”
(Left to right) Baz Luhrmann and Austin Butler
Rob Latour/Shutterstock for AARP
Baz Luhrmann gives tributes to grownup filmgoers and a birthday toast to Elvis Presley
“I cannot tell you how many people told me, ‘Older audiences will not come out into the theater,’” said Luhrmann, who won the best director trophy for Elvis, presented by the film’s star Austin Butler. In fact, the AARP-age audience turned out in historic droves, making Elvis a smash hit. “What I do like about this organization is that it also celebrates and acknowledges experience and age. And I’m not just saying that because I’ve just turned 60.” He also gave a shout-out to Presley, who would have turned 88 this month: “I’m sure he woud have been on the cover of AARP at least five times.”
