Manlife

A gentle, bittersweet portrait of stubborn devotion and late-life romance, watching an old believer cling to a fading dream while someone loves him enough to wait.

Directed by

Ryan Sarnowski

Genres

Documentary, History, Romance

Starring

Merle Hayden, Betty Kasch, Jim Newman

Tagline

Good Reactions

Overview

For over 80 years, Merle Hayden has crusaded to recruit members to the utopian movement Lawsonomy. Founded by aircraft pioneer Alfred Lawson, Lawsonomy advocates for economic reform and clean, communal living that transforms followers into a "New Species" that will benefit the human race either in this life or the next. Merle joined Lawson as a teenager and never looked back. His high school sweetheart Betty Kasch, however, is tired of Lawson coming between them. Reunited after over 60 years apart, non-believer Betty wants Merle to join her in Florida. Merle's commitment to preserving Lawson's legacy, artifacts currently rotting in a barn alongside a Wisconsin highway, has Betty worried Merle may leave her for Lawson once again.

How it feels

Melancholic, warm, earnest and whimsical. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Obsession, aging, love, faith

Content

Mild language. No violence, gore or sexual content.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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