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Editorial Reviews
Review
Engaging... remarkably spry and lighthearted! --The New York Times
A wry, hopeful yet enigma-appreciating documentary about the perils and possibilities that come with growing old. --Los Angeles Times
A wry, hopeful yet enigma-appreciating documentary about the perils and possibilities that come with growing old. --Los Angeles Times
Product Description
Product Description
A cell lives an average of 5 minutes. A hummingbird for 5 years. Right now, humans live for about 75 years. What might it mean to live forever?
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. HOW TO LIVE FOREVER documents his journey as he seeks to learn if eternal life is possible or even desirable. Exploring these issues with a fascinating array of people from futurist Ray Kurzweil to comedian Phyllis Diller to a 101-year-old chain-smoking marathon runner Wexler presents a riveting series of stories and insights about youth, aging and longevity.
Begun as a study in life-extension, How To Live Forever evolves into a thought-provoking, often comically poignent, examination of what truly gives life meaning.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Bob Krist
Format:DVD
I wasn't sure what to expect from this film, but was delighted that it hit home on so many levels. For a generation contemplating our own mortality, the title certainly is a hook. But this is no dry doco, or how-to. Instead, director Wexler takes us through a quixotic assortment of folks who have beaten the clock in one way or the other, and shares their personal stories, and the universal truths they contain. With a journalist's instinct, Wexler tracks down a delightful assortment of elder statesmen, from the indefatigable Jack LaLanne, to a beer guzzling, cigarette-smoking, marathon-running centenarian (my personal hero). Along the way, you sense that the filmmaker is very concerned with his own mortality, but never loses the sense of irony that makes this movie so watchable (I almost never watch a film more than once, and I'm on my third viewing) and never descends into sentimentality or easy answers.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Amazon Instant Video
We are all going to get older. It's a fact of life. But what we do with that time is really what distinguishes a life lived. The engaging documentary "How to Live Forever" covers quite a few topics in a short 90 minutes and it gives one a lot to ponder. Filmmaker Mark Wexler approaches the subject of aging and the notion of prolonging life from a very personal angle that serves the piece well. He is singularly fascinated by the many theories and thought processes behind aging. And it's easy to identify with his questions.
At first, "How to Live Forever" seems to posit that we should live to our fullest no matter what our age categorization. We are introduced to many subjects that are reveling in their advanced years, living life to its fullest potential. It's a great message, one that's hard to deny. But as he starts to track down why some seem to live longer than others, the proposition becomes a bit trickier. There is not a lot of common ground and his interviewees are as diverse and colorful as can be. While in Japan, clean living and an active lifestyle seems to have raised the age limit, but other results vary with participants who drink, smoke, and have lived a life of excess. Another topic soon follows and the film starts to examine some ways to counteract aging. From hormones treatments to advanced studies of scientific manipulation, the film explores ways of feeling younger and perhaps even staving off death altogether. There are many more discussions to be had including cryogenics and even a trip to a funeral home convention. Literally, the film touches on dozens and dozens of topics.
In the end, the focus of "How to Live Forever" appears to jump all over the place. Wexler seems to want the documentary to be a comprehensive look at aging and death. It's an enormous goal, and the stress of the film is shown getting to him. In the end, the movie raises as many questions as it answers--but it brings up much food for thought. The picture, though occasionally chaotic, is never less than fascinating largely due to the wide array of people who agree to be interviewed. Across the globe, Wexler assembles an engaging cast of well known personages and average people. Among the celebrities that weigh in, they include Ray Kurzweil, Suzanne Somers, Jack LaLanne, Phyllis Diller, Willard Scott and Ray Bradbury. It's hard not to get swept up in Wexler's desire and enthusiasm to put things into context. And this search for life's meaning and purpose subtly sneaks up on you. A good film that poses a number of interesting questions. KGHarris, 5/12.
At first, "How to Live Forever" seems to posit that we should live to our fullest no matter what our age categorization. We are introduced to many subjects that are reveling in their advanced years, living life to its fullest potential. It's a great message, one that's hard to deny. But as he starts to track down why some seem to live longer than others, the proposition becomes a bit trickier. There is not a lot of common ground and his interviewees are as diverse and colorful as can be. While in Japan, clean living and an active lifestyle seems to have raised the age limit, but other results vary with participants who drink, smoke, and have lived a life of excess. Another topic soon follows and the film starts to examine some ways to counteract aging. From hormones treatments to advanced studies of scientific manipulation, the film explores ways of feeling younger and perhaps even staving off death altogether. There are many more discussions to be had including cryogenics and even a trip to a funeral home convention. Literally, the film touches on dozens and dozens of topics.
In the end, the focus of "How to Live Forever" appears to jump all over the place. Wexler seems to want the documentary to be a comprehensive look at aging and death. It's an enormous goal, and the stress of the film is shown getting to him. In the end, the movie raises as many questions as it answers--but it brings up much food for thought. The picture, though occasionally chaotic, is never less than fascinating largely due to the wide array of people who agree to be interviewed. Across the globe, Wexler assembles an engaging cast of well known personages and average people. Among the celebrities that weigh in, they include Ray Kurzweil, Suzanne Somers, Jack LaLanne, Phyllis Diller, Willard Scott and Ray Bradbury. It's hard not to get swept up in Wexler's desire and enthusiasm to put things into context. And this search for life's meaning and purpose subtly sneaks up on you. A good film that poses a number of interesting questions. KGHarris, 5/12.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
We are all going to get older. It's a fact of life. But what we do with that time is really what distinguishes a life lived. The engaging documentary "How to Live Forever" covers quite a few topics in a short 90 minutes and it gives one a lot to ponder. Filmmaker Mark Wexler approaches the subject of aging and the notion of prolonging life from a very personal angle that serves the piece well. He is singularly fascinated by the many theories and thought processes behind aging. And it's easy to identify with his questions.
At first, "How to Live Forever" seems to posit that we should live to our fullest no matter what our age categorization. We are introduced to many subjects that are reveling in their advanced years, living life to its fullest potential. It's a great message, one that's hard to deny. But as he starts to track down why some seem to live longer than others, the proposition becomes a bit trickier. There is not a lot of common ground and his interviewees are as diverse and colorful as can be. While in Japan, clean living and an active lifestyle seems to have raised the age limit, but other results vary with participants who drink, smoke, and have lived a life of excess. Another topic soon follows and the film starts to examine some ways to counteract aging. From hormones treatments to advanced studies of scientific manipulation, the film explores ways of feeling younger and perhaps even staving off death altogether. There are many more discussions to be had including cryogenics and even a trip to a funeral home convention. Literally, the film touches on dozens and dozens of topics.
In the end, the focus of "How to Live Forever" appears to jump all over the place. Wexler seems to want the documentary to be a comprehensive look at aging and death. It's an enormous goal, and the stress of the film is shown getting to him. In the end, the movie raises as many questions as it answers--but it brings up much food for thought. The picture, though occasionally chaotic, is never less than fascinating largely due to the wide array of people who agree to be interviewed. Across the globe, Wexler assembles an engaging cast of well known personages and average people. Among the celebrities that weigh in, they include Ray Kurzweil, Suzanne Somers, Jack LaLanne, Phyllis Diller, Willard Scott and Ray Bradbury. It's hard not to get swept up in Wexler's desire and enthusiasm to put things into context. And this search for life's meaning and purpose subtly sneaks up on you. A good film that poses a number of interesting questions. KGHarris, 5/12.
At first, "How to Live Forever" seems to posit that we should live to our fullest no matter what our age categorization. We are introduced to many subjects that are reveling in their advanced years, living life to its fullest potential. It's a great message, one that's hard to deny. But as he starts to track down why some seem to live longer than others, the proposition becomes a bit trickier. There is not a lot of common ground and his interviewees are as diverse and colorful as can be. While in Japan, clean living and an active lifestyle seems to have raised the age limit, but other results vary with participants who drink, smoke, and have lived a life of excess. Another topic soon follows and the film starts to examine some ways to counteract aging. From hormones treatments to advanced studies of scientific manipulation, the film explores ways of feeling younger and perhaps even staving off death altogether. There are many more discussions to be had including cryogenics and even a trip to a funeral home convention. Literally, the film touches on dozens and dozens of topics.
In the end, the focus of "How to Live Forever" appears to jump all over the place. Wexler seems to want the documentary to be a comprehensive look at aging and death. It's an enormous goal, and the stress of the film is shown getting to him. In the end, the movie raises as many questions as it answers--but it brings up much food for thought. The picture, though occasionally chaotic, is never less than fascinating largely due to the wide array of people who agree to be interviewed. Across the globe, Wexler assembles an engaging cast of well known personages and average people. Among the celebrities that weigh in, they include Ray Kurzweil, Suzanne Somers, Jack LaLanne, Phyllis Diller, Willard Scott and Ray Bradbury. It's hard not to get swept up in Wexler's desire and enthusiasm to put things into context. And this search for life's meaning and purpose subtly sneaks up on you. A good film that poses a number of interesting questions. KGHarris, 5/12.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good story telling
If you want to see a film that makes you think about and appreciate life, it is this one. We all have thought about it one time or another, but this film puts a different spin on... Read more
Published 10 days ago by SntCruzLover
4.0 out of 5 stars
Uneven But Entertaining Look at Longevity
A lot of the ground here is covered elsewhere, but that didn't diminish my enjoyment of watching this documentary. Read more
Published 23 days ago by Marty Weil
3.0 out of 5 stars
Surprising
We really enjoyed this documentary, until there was a surprise scene with pornography. Very disappointing, there should be a warning or rating.
Published 27 days ago by Tifani L Dustin
3.0 out of 5 stars
Sorry had an emergeny
Sorry had an emergency and could not finish watching it. Hopefully will get back to it sometime soon.Looked interesting. thanks.
Published 1 month ago by Carol Gerlitz
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wanted to learn How To Live Forever
I found the movie interesting and the length acceptable. I enjoyed the interviews and the thoughts and not all agreed with each other. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Walter Riker
2.0 out of 5 stars
Just ok documentary
It was unfocused, not very insightful, and not all that entertaining. Also not unwatchable and some of the stories were interesting.
Published 2 months ago by Aprillizzybeth
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hmmmm worth the time!
I liked this video! I got a lot out of it. If want to live longer it is worth your time I feel!
Published 2 months ago by JA irie customer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Balanced Approach
Enjoyed the various examples and stories - approaches to longevity. Vegan and cigarette smoking and drinking. Researcher was very open to what he was hearing. Very interesting. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Diana
3.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining
Pretty good movie and subject.
Lacks real data or detail, but still entertaining.
Don't expect to really learn any good secrets here though.
Lacks real data or detail, but still entertaining.
Don't expect to really learn any good secrets here though.
Published 2 months ago by Bill
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun, interesting and enjoyable
There are a lot of levels to how people live their lives. I enjoyed these folks a lot! Good movie.
Published 2 months ago by Linda L. Wiley
