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Advanced Style

Warm and charming, but pretty thin

This cinematic extension by director Lina Plioplyte of photographer Ari Seth Cohen’s popular blog of the same name sends a mixed message. On the one hand, it celebrates eight energetic aging fashionistas ranging from their early 60s to their late 90s who refuse to act, or more accurately dress, their age. More power to ’em, I say.

But does individualism automatically mean flamboyancy? I was torn between anti-ageist admiration and disdain for their cloying “look at me” attitudes. Can one not look interesting without being self-consciously eccentric? Warm and charming, but pretty thin. Japanese title: Advanced Style: Sono Fashion ga Jinsei. (72 min)