Spidersecu Don't Believe the Hype

Matrixiole Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

Kien Navarro Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Frances Chung Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

jswetow This movie was a delight and a surprise. Old people in an Assisted Living Facility? Who'd have thunk? But it's very funny, and poignant, and eye opening. You get to follow a number of senior citizens as they go about their daily activities. And guess what? Because of the disarming honesty of the subjects and the skill of the filmmaker, it's just really interesting to watch. It's kind of like "oh, old folks are people too!" Kidding, but because we all have seniors in our lives or will be seniors ourselves before long, it's an important reminder in a society that maybe doesn't value and notice and revere our seniors as perhaps we should and as many other society's do, that just because you're old doesn't mean you stop being smart, hilarious and forthright, or wanting love, needing community, or caring deeply about each other. I loved it and was very moved by it, as well. I heartily recommend.

gordon-bh I loved this documentary. And to be honest, I didn't know what to expect going into it, and not necessarily having an interest in the elderly, I debated with myself about whether or not to go. Fortunately, I did choose to go and I was blown away by how transfixing the story was. Not only was it did it have a great story line that followed a character that was delightful on screen(Sam), but it was also full of humor and heartfelt moments. The reality of death and those left behind was documented with care and respect. I was constantly amazed by the vulnerability of the characters with the intimate stories that they shared. You could see that such a trust was built during the creation of the film between the film-maker and the characters. I think the true value of this film comes from the vulnerability of the characters and their comfortability to share with the film maker what they are really feeling and thinking. This film not only makes me respect older people more, but also get kind of excited to become one one day.

jordanknightkaye This documentary shines an eye-opening light onto an age in every life that often does not have enough recognition and is rarely talked about. A beautiful perspective from a hilarious yet realistic Sam Berger provides very real insight into life in a nursing home. The director allows you to place yourself within each moment with the careful attention to detail, facial expressions, and quotes. Hopeful and heart-breaking at the same time, this documentary shows lovely detail on a destination at which some of us may very well arrive.If this is somewhere I may end up in my future, I look forward to it. Overall an extremely moving story, very highly recommended!

Randy E. Aguebor It's often a foregone conclusion that the older people get, the further behind them their best years recede.In "The Mayor", director Jared Scheib's feature documentary debut, Sam Berger and a cast of fellow senior citizens provide ample evidence that while the mile markers in the rear-view mirror may be many and the sun may be setting, there's still plenty of road ahead for those with the drive to continue the journey.Filmed in a retirement community in Dallas, Texas, "The Mayor" follows the titular mayor, Sam, and his peers while yielding glimpses of the retirees' day-to-day lives.From relationships and breakfast-table gossip to the difficulty of waking and preparing to meet the day, the insights we view through the camera's lens range from mundane to uncomfortable, from hilarious to heartbreaking."The Mayor" is an unequivocally stirring and poignant piece about growing older that moved me to tears more than once.I would recommend it to any fan of cinéma vérité filmmaking, engaging observations on humanity, and charming characters.10 out of 10.