I'm really starting to feel that cultural and romantic invisibility cloak that covers women of a certain age. Luckily, there are a few aspirational, sometimes inspiring TV shows and movies that feature people over the age of 40 romancing each other and getting it on — even if it seems that you need to have a beautiful face, well-placed wrinkles and a near-perfect body to deserve the same.
CW: talk of anti-body positivity and toxic Hollywood and cultural beauty standards.
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Guests
You can find the full essay "On Bodies" here and follow the brilliant writer Kristina on Twitter.
Taffeta V. is a true Renaissance woman -- she is a semi-retired costume designer, wardrobe mistress, writer and host of two cool podcasts among other things. You can find her on Twitter.
Jack Badelaire studied film and has written many historical action-adventure novels. His Twitter feed is a delight.
Movies/TV Shows
Issues around relationships, sex and aging have never been so funny or profound as they are in Grace and Frankie.
I absolutely loved catching up with Carrie, Charlotte and Miranda from Sex and the City 20 years later in ...And Just Like That. The show isn't perfect but it looks gorgeous, they look gorgeous and the story arcs are a perfect evolution for these characters.
Mamma Mia is full of age- and sex-positivity and it's exuberant and exhilarating, thanks to the direction, acting and the music of ABBA. Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again is equally delightful.
All I Wish is a cool story about finding passionate love later in life. If only I could book Sharon Stone's make-up artist, hairstylist and trainer.
Hampstead is charming and you can't beat the London setting. Brendan Gleeson and Diane Keaton are just marvelous in this.
I love Jennifer Lopez, so of course I'm going to eventually see Marry Me. I'm a romance podcaster, not a monster. I'll just have to be feeling particularly confident that day, because for a 50 year old with two children, girlfriend does not look a day over 30.
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