The Addiction of Hope stars Anne-Marie Johnson as an aging actor who clings to the idea of another great part. When her sister Lynnie (Harley Jane Kozak) gets ill, she reevaluates her situation.

The Addiction of Hope is about older actors “past their expiration date.” It’s stuffed with older actors that I recognize but younger people might not know. It’s a film about growing older, family relationships, generational trauma, purpose, and hope. For a small independent film, this one is brimming with outstanding talent.

Jo (Anne-Marie Johnson) is in LA still auditioning for parts. She’s the veteran of a hit series and is often recognized by fans, but hasn’t had a big part in a long time. Her sister calls her and asks her to come visit. Lynnie doesn’t reveal that she’s in the midst of a health scare, so Jo doesn’t plan to go.

When Jo learns she has to vacate her beautiful home for four days during termite treatment, she decides to head for the Pacific Northwest to see Lynnie after all.

The family relationship drama in The Addiction of Hope is interesting. Jo and Lynnie’s mother was cruel, especially to the adopted Jo. Jo and Lynnie now say cruel things to each other. Lynnie doesn’t seem to connect that generational cruelty habit to the constant fighting between her two grown sons.

Jo learns that Lynnie is facing some health problems while she visits. She spends time with her two nephews. She meets David, a family friend of Lynnie’s. David (Martin Grey) is an art teacher. He, more than anyone else, helps her open her eyes to other possible futures for her life away from LA. He encourages her interest in photography and asks her to teach some classes in photography and acting.

Jo runs back to LA to audition for a lead role in a TV series before she makes her decision about her future direction. The film ends on a note of hope, but it could have had an equally hopeful different ending.

I know Hollywood is hard on older actors. In addition to the people I’ve already named, this film also features Erika Alexander, Shari Belafonte, Clancy Brown, Alan Rosenberg, and Susan Ruttan. Older actors can keep working–maybe not as the star, but still working. Especially when they take the creative reins and make their own films as writer/director/actor Martin Grey did with this film.

Anne-Marie Johnson has 104 acting credits on IMDb, the first one in 1973. Still working. Harley Jane Kozak has 58 credits on IMDb, the first in 1982. Still working. These actors know what they are doing and I’m here to celebrate them. #EldersRock.

You can see this film on Tubi, Fawesome, or rent it on Prime Video. If you watch it, I’d love to know if you enjoyed it.