Screen legends star in 5 Flights Up

Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton play an elderly couple deciding whether to sell their home in 5 Flights Up.

Freeman and Keaton shine in heart-w.

An ageing married couple and their sick dog isn't a premise that screams "must-see entertainment", though 5 Flights Up, a reference to the couple's New York City walk-up apartment, is a charming warm-hearted film which touches upon themes including racism, ageing, and society's propensity for moving forward in favour of valuing the past.

Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton are well cast as a couple married for 40-plus years agonising over whether to sell their home for a more age-appropriate dwelling. Although the storyline would suggest there are many heartstrings pulled, the premise is surprising in its execution, and director Richard Loncraine deftly veers away from excessive sentimentality.

Freeman, 78, not only stars but takes on producing duties. "Why did I want to do this role?" he repeats the question.

"I have to like the story and I have to envision myself in the prospective part. If either of those elements don't gel then I don't consider it - unless of course they're really throwing buckets of money at me," he chuckles.

"I really liked this nice little movie. It's a four-parter for myself and Diane as well as Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City) who just ate it up; she was terrific, and of course there's the dog."

Nixon plays an over-eager estate agent trying to push the couple into a sale.

Unsurprisingly, Freeman and Keaton's inter-racial marriage attracts some adversity and resistance, particularly from her family.

Although New York City plays a role in the film itself, the tale's appeal is universal.

"We have an ageing population in the world, the baby-boomers, and that's where we'll find our audience."

There's also the pervasive theme of ageism, which of course, everyone will experience eventually.

"Well, if you're old, having money definitely helps. It really, really does," he says. "Prejudice is pretty much predicated on different things. If you're ageing well then you're fine. If you're on your own and you're independent, it's okay, but the biggest part of it when you're old is just being awake."

A prolific actor, how has his perspective changed since working behind the scenes as a producer?

"I don't work as a producer. I have a producing partner who works as a producer," he quips.

"I don't get involved and sit around and play producer. That's work. Same reason I won't work in theatre - that's a 9 to 5 job and I don't want to work that hard."

Movie preview
What: 5 Flights Up starring Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton.
When: Opens at cinemas tomorrow.