Elsa & Fred
After his daughter persuades him to move into a new apartment, aged widower Fred strikes up a friendship with his eccentric 74-year-old neighbour Elsa, who convinces him it's never too late to keep enjoying life. Although he seemed resigned to a miserable bedridden existence, Fred embraces Elsa's youthful enthusiasm as she introduces him to the path of life and entertains him with outlandish stories about her past life. But when he discovers Elsa's terminally ill, Fred decides to accompany her on the trip of her dreams to the eternal city of Rome to help her fulfil a lifelong ambition.
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- Cast:
- Shirley MacLaine , Christopher Plummer , Marcia Gay Harden , Wendell Pierce , Jared Gilman , Erika Alexander , Chris Noth
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Reviews
it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.
The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;
One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.
A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
Review: This is a very sweet movie about a elderly couple who fall in love after bumping into each other in there apartment block.The man, played by Christopher Plummer, is quite a stubborn fellow who moans about any and everything. The woman, played by Shirley MacLaine, is a happy go lucky lady who gets the most out of life and lives in the fantasy world of film. When Plummer moves into her apartment building, she tries her utmost to get his attention but his difficult ways makes the task a uphill struggle. When they both finally admit there feeling for each other, the movie switches into a beautiful love story which is played extremely well by these two veteran actors. It was great to see George Segal back on the big screen alongside James Brolin who hasn't been on the big screen for some time. I've always been a fan of Shirley MaClaine because of her acting style, which is natural and realistic. It does take some time to get going because of Plummers refusal to get out of bed but it's an emotional movie which made me laugh in parts. Watchable!Round-Up: These Veteran actors really do put these young and upcoming actors to shame! Shirley MaClaine, who still can pull out a great performance at the age of 81, is brilliant at mixing comedy with emotional drama and it's good to see her back on the big screen. Christopher Plummer is also doing well at the age of 85 and after winning the Best Supporting award at the Oscars in 2012, he's finally earning the respect that he truly does deserve. The director, who also made Beginners and Thumbsucker, has only made 10 movies in his career but he has to be the man whose responsible for bringing Christopher Plummer back the mainstream. He done a great job with this film and he definitely got the most out of the actors but the ending could have done with a rewrite.Budget: $10million Worldwide Gross: N/AI recommend this movie to people who are into their drama/love stories about an elderly couple who fall in love with each other after meeting up in there apartment block. 4/10
I've seen several movies about older people falling in love & have enjoyed most of them. I suppose that's why Netflix recommended this one, guessing that I'd LOVE it! Boy were they off this time! I had a huge problem with the Elsa character who was, IMO, a contemptible, pushy, pathological liar and overall whack-job! And poor Shirley looked just awful! I realize she's elderly, but good grief, there are things they could have done with camera angles, focus, lighting and wardrobe that would have improved her appearance. It looked like they applied her foundation with a trowel! And rarely, if ever, is long hair flattering to women from about age 60 and up - and hers looked like a cheap wig, to make it even worse! If I was Shirley, I'd sue them for making me look so horrible. I found the whole thing implausible because to start with, among the folks in this age group, decent looking widowers who are financially secure and mentally sound - as the Fred character was - are in very short supply. In reality, a Fred would not be so lonely or so desperate that he'd settle for someone who acts and looks like an Elsa.It saddens me that two great old pros, like Plummer and MacLaine have apparently been reduced to starring in this kind of inane garbage.I honestly wish I hadn't watched this and I recommend that nobody else watch it.
This is one of those films you want to love – strong lead actors and a solid supporting cast showing another homage to aging gracefully. But the cake was left in the oven a bit too long and the resultant 'romantic comedy' becomes so Hallmarky that the script drowns the fine intentions of the actors. Written by Anna Pavignano and Michael Radford (who also directs), the story is given its best shot by Shirley MacLaine (age 80) and Christopher Plummer (age 85) but the saccharine ending is a bit too heavy to hold up the good moments.Set in New Orleans, the story introduces two people who at the end of the road, discover that it's never too late to love and make dreams come true. Elsa (Shirley MacLaine) has lived for the past 60 years dreaming of a moment that Fellini had already envisaged: the scene in 'La Dolce Vita' at the Fontana di Trevi. The same scene without Anita Ekberg in it, but with Elsa instead. Without Marcello Mastroiani but with that love that took so long to arrive. Fred (Christopher Plummer) has always been a good man who did everything he was supposed to do. After losing his wife, he feels disturbed and confused and his daughter (Marcia Gay Harden) decides that it would be best if he moves into a smaller apartment where he ends meeting Elsa. From that moment on, everything changes. Elsa bursts into his life like a whirlwind, determined to teach him that the time he has left to live -- be it more or less -- is precious and that he should enjoy it as he pleases. Fred surrenders to Elsa's frenzy, to her youth, to her boldness, to her beautiful madness. And this is how Fred learns how to live. When he learns about Elsa's terminal illness, he decides to make her dream come true and takes Elsa to Rome to reenact with her the famous scene at the Fontana di Trevi.The supporting cast includes Scott Bakula, George Segal, James Brolin, Chris Noth, Wendell Pierce, and Erika Alexandra (in the most entertaining role as the 'housekeeper' for Fred). It has its moments and it always is a pleasure to see MacLaine and Plummer no matter how lame the script's ending. Not exactly the reincarnation of Fellini's La Dolce Vita, but an entertaining movie.
"Somethings are priceless." Elsa (MacLaine) is an older woman who isn't happy with anyone or anything. When recently widowed Fred (Plummer) moves in next door the two become fast friends. The friendship develops into more and the two find out that it's never too late to find love. Until Elsa's life turns out to not be what Fred expected. The first thing I have to say is that this was a pretty good movie. Plummer and MacLaine have great chemistry but that is to be expected from two legendary actors like them. The fact that those two are in it is the reason that the movie rises above being a cheesy cookie cutter love story. There really aren't any real surprises in this and goes pretty much how you would expect. All that said I am 35 and this movie isn't really geared toward me at all. I'm sure an older crowd will relate to this better and they will probably find it more enjoyable than I did. Overall, a movie that was OK and I liked it but if I was 40 years older I probably would be able to relate to this better and love it. I give it a B.