Nora Ephron directed her first film in her 50s. Her last film, Julie & Julia, showed the blossoming of Julia Child, how she found her passion in life in her 40s.
There are many second (and third, and fourth) acts in American lives.
What is somewhat gutting in the “movies” category of Ephron’s wonderful career is that Ephron was one of about two female American directors who could make films about complicated women concerned with relationships. They made a lot of money and were treated as major whether they flew or flopped. Her work was valuable and influential. There’s a gap where her voice used to be.
PS. Cancer, you suck.