THE SAD TRUTH ABOUT `BOYNTON BEACH'.

Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic

Between its initial festival screenings and its theatrical release this year, ``Boynton Beach Club'' lost a word in its title. The movie was originally called ``Boynton Beach Bereavement Club,'' which sort of limited its appeal. Moviegoers don't mind going to the movies to feel sad, but there's something off-putting about walking up to the ticket window and saying, ``One for `Bereavement Club,' please,'' isn't there?

The gravity of the original title is also at odds with the sitcomlike nature of the film, which follows a group of seniors, 55 and older, who have lost a loved one and take solace in a support group setting. At the meetings, oldsters offer shoulders to cry on, but mostly they hit on each other. It seems the denizens of Boynton Beach -- the movie was shot primarily in Florida's Palm Beach County -- are hornier than the ``American Pie'' kids. At least we now know where Stifler is going to retire.

But then, maybe the movie's seniors-on-the-prowl concept is understandable given the way American films ignore the subject of age and romance. Writer-director Susan Seidelman (``Desperately Seeking Susan'') plunges into the topic, mixing in Viagra, early-bird dinner dates and the assortment of white lies that these people tell out of fear and loneliness.

The movie plods from one story to another but is redeemed somewhat by its attention to little details (a widower's answering machine greeting that hasn't been changed since his wife died) and Seidelman's steadfast ability with her seasoned cast. (She remains, after all, the only director to have elicited a decent screen performance from Madonna.)

Here, Seidelman has such stalwarts as Brenda Vaccaro, Joe Bologna, Len Cariou, Sally Kellerman and Dyan Cannon (as bouncy here as she is during Laker games), all doing their best to elevate the film's rather toothless forays into the issues of aging. It's all harmless enough, predictable but refreshingly free from condescension, and will probably find a long life on cable television.

Glenn Whipp, [phone].

glenn.whipp(at)dailynews.com

BOYNTON BEACH CLUB - Two stars

(Not rated: sexual situations, language)

Starring: Joe Bologna, Dyan Cannon, Len Cariou, Sally Kellerman, Brenda Vaccaro.

Director: Susan Seidelman.

Running time: 1 hr. 44 min.

Playing: Laemmle Fallbrook 7 in West Hills; AMC Burbank 16; Laemmle Town Center 5 in Encino; Laemmle Playhouse 7 in Pasadena; Landmark Westside Pavilion in West Los Angeles, Paseo Camarillo Cinemas.

In a nutshell: Florida seniors overcome loss by looking for love in this predictable rom-com, which steers clear of condescension and the unconventional.