Director: Richard Loncraine (2015)

Take a gentle stroll through this pedestrian and predictable drama about OAP’s moving house.

After forty years of affectionate squabbling, Ruth and Alex (Diane Keaton, Morgan Freeman) have put their beloved fifth story apartment on the market.

She’s an optimist, he’s a pessimist, neither actor is required to stretch their considerable talents.

Such tension as there is centres on whether they should stay put or up sticks. Ideally upstate to a more age friendly residence – with less steps.

Dinners, BBQ’s and house viewings drift by in a honey-hued haze of charm and nostalgia without consequence or friction.

Freeman struggles with his hearing aid and spends a lot of screen time staring into middle distance, lost in memories of happy times past.

He offers wry reflections on the devils of the modern world: technology and rude service.

There’s a bizarre subplot about a manhunt for a terrorist and much fussing over an over-indulged pet dog whom undergoes a CAT scan.

It gently mocks various wacky and obnoxious New York stereotypes but the humour struggles to zip beyond the New York post code.

A great amount of time is spent discussing the state of the property market – which is as thrilling as it sounds.

Claire van der Boom is impressive as young Ruth, Korey Jackson is less so as young Alex.

Cynthia Nixon (Miranda in TV’s Sex and the City) doesn’t even qualify for a name as their estate agent niece.

Ruth and Alex was released as 5 Flights Up on it’s inauspicious US debut.

It’s a light hearted tale offering no surprises. The limited entertainment springs from spending time in the agreeable company of two charmers.

★☆☆☆☆