In the flashback scenes to the fire at the boys' school, presumably before Hank disappeared 20 years ago, he looks exactly the same age as he does in the present day scenes. They show Noah's character to be a young boy. Are we supposed to believe Hank is that much older than Noah?
shareSuspension of disbelief! You just have to go with it.
shareThe actor playing Hank was born in 1950, the actor playing Noah was born in 1965. Using these ages in the time of the movie (2003), Hank was 53 or 33 as of 20 years earlier, well within the range for an active firefighter. Noah was 38 or 18 as of 20 years earlier, too old for a boy as depicted. The real age discrepancy was with Noah's character.
The 15 year age gap for the actors would pan out if Noah was 12 at the time and Hank 27. The actor playing Noah has a youthful appearance, so it is within the realm of possibility.
And you gave her a land mine? Really?
Well, it seemed appropriate at the time.
- Ron Swanson