"If You're Not In the Obit, Eat Breakfast" (2017 release; 86 min.) is a documentary hosted by Carl Reiner, about the amazing number of people over 90 years old (himself included, of course),who continue to thrive in life and at work. As the movie's opening credits roll, Tony Bennett croons "The Best Is Yet to Come", just beautiful. We then catch up with Carl, who is starting out the day as he does every single day: he reads the obits to make sure he is not in them, ha! But the one day, when Polly Bergen passes away, there he is in a large photo of both Polly and himself ("I guess they couldn't find a single decent picture of just Polly by herself!" muses Carl.) That gives Carl and director Danny Gold the idea to make a documentary about people over 90 to whom age is just a number, starting with Stan Harper. At this point we are 10 min. into the documentary, but to tell you more of the 'plot' would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: Danny Gold is a veteran producer-director of documentaries. In his latest, he takes a fond and gentle look at some amazing people over 90 years old, including Mel Brooks, Dick Van Dyke, Norman Lear, etc. They all have their own reasoning for doing what they're doing. Irving Fields puts it like this: "I could work 9 days a week and not be tired!". Take that, lazy "Eight Days a Week" Beatles! But the consensus is more or less: exercise, genes, and good health. It's all brought with a wink and a smile, and you can't help but admire and being a bit jealous (in the nicest possible way).

I recently stumbles on this documentary at HBO On Demand. So glad I took the time to watch this. If you are in the mood for a lighthearted documentary about life over 90, by all means, I encourage you to check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

This film starts with an idiotic scene of Carl Reiner -- who lost all of his legacy in his final years by wasting time bashing Trump -- trying to pass off an ancient Henny Youngman joke as the truth. Sad.

Most of the 90 something in this film look horrible. Monstruous.

The only segment that is sort of touching is the 100 year old black woman whose daughter convinced her to take up running when she was 67. Dick Van Dyke sounds like Biden now but with his marbles. Norman ear looks like he shoudl be one of the aliens in Star Wars, onl he doesnt need the prosthetics. Stan Lee and Mel Brooks appear to be the only ones still "normal." It's a pretty damn depressing 90 minutes.

If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast: 7 out of 10: Carl Reiner seeks out some fellow ninety-year-olds to see if they have anything in common that may explain both their longevity and their spirit for life.

This documentary is heartwarming at its core. Interviews with sprightly ninety-year-olds living every day to its fullest will warm one's cockles. One particular subject (a 100-year-old sprinter) almost brought me to tears. Those seeking the secrets of eternal youth may come away disappointed as don't get sick seems to be the primary advice (Walking and being social are also promoted).

If the documentary has one flaw it is that Carl, with a few notable exceptions, basically sticks with his fellow showbiz people. One could easily get the impression that the key to longevity is to be a Jewish stand-up comedian. It is notable that when the documentary visits those outside of the showbiz world it is more effective.

The documentary also makes some unusual choices. There is a lot of Jerry Seinfeld in the film. He is overall fine but seems out of place due to the subject matter. There is a weird story about a nude Yul Brenner that comes from out of left field, stays for a while, and goes back to left field never to be mentioned again. And then there is Dick van Dyke.

Dick van Dyke is 93 and energetic and a perfect subject for this film. Dick van Dyke married Arlene Silver who is half his age. (Literally, she is 46 years younger than he is) So far so good. We get interviews with the couple and video of the wedding with Dick van Dyke looking very sharp tearing up the dance floor. Unforatntly the movie seems not to know when to move on. We then are taken to the Capitol Records studio (The one on that famous stacked record building in Los Angeles.) were some very talented musicians do their best to make Dick van Dyke and his new bride sound good as they sing. It is painful and not a good way to end your movie.

In conclusion kudos to the documentary for including one subject who has significant health problems (Kirk Douglas) and boo for not even mentioning Jimmy Carter in a documentary about active nonagenarians. In reality, of course, most people in this age group are not writing books on going on tour. There is a bit of a false front being shown that the documentary gingerly acknowledges. (I would also note none of the subjects had outlived their money. A real fear in that age group.) This is an uplifting heartwarming documentary where everyone is sprightly and healthy and loved and the only sour note comes from Dick van Dyke singing.