Starring: Shirley MacLaine, Christopher Plummer, Marcia Gay Harden, Scott Bakula, Chris Noth, George Segal, James Brolin, Erika Alexander, Wendell Pierce, Reg Rogers.
Distributor: Rialto Films
Runtime: 103 mins. Reviewed in May 2015
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With Hollywood’s perspective on film-making, that box office receipts come from younger audiences, there are not too many films made for older audiences. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and its sequel, as well as a number of films featuring Maggie Smith new detention, are reminders that grey-haired or silver-haired (and some with the touch of dye!) enjoy a film outing. Elsa and Fred certainly fits the bill.
While it was being film, Shirley MacLaine was 79 and Christopher Plummer 84. Also in the cast was a younger George Segal, only 81 James Brolin a mere 73.
This is a remake of an Argentinian film of the same name, from 2005, and is directed by Michael Radford, British director who has filmed all over the world, Africa for White Mischief, Chile for Il Postino, and who also directed The Merchant of Venice with Al Pacino.
Christopher Plummer is Fred, getting too old to live alone and manage himself but resenting that he has to go into a unit. His daughter, played by Marcia Gay Harden, fusses about and his son-in-law would like a loan to float a business deal. Fred is something of a curmudgeon, not prone to looking happy. And he is unimpressed by the fact that they have employed a carer for him.
Elsa lives across the way, and in her behaviour and attitudes, chatting and laughing, she resembles the Shirley MacLaine of so many films over the decades. And why not? Audiences have liked her and responded well to her – and, ultimately, so does Fred.
One of Elsa’s idiosyncrasies is her love for Fellini’s film La Dolce Vita, especially the Trevi fountain scene with Anita Ekberg going into the water, watched by Marcello Mastroianni. Elsa has a poster on the wall and watches the film over and over. And she has a dream that one day she will go to Rome, dress up like Anita Ekberg and re-enact the famous scene.
Fred has no such dreams and finds Elsa a little irritating, though he kindly believes some of her wild stories, especially when she pleads and describes needy family so that he will give her back the cheque to pay for the damage she did to his daughter’s car. Truth is not her forte and we discover throughout the film that she has told some little white lies as well as whoppers. But she takes a shine to Fred, trying to persuade him to take a little step by step and move outside his room.
She does and gradually Fred comes to life, though his goodwill is sorely tested by Elsa, her behaviour, and her playing with the truth.
But, this is a feel-good film for the older audience and, despite ups and downs, moments of love, moments of exasperation, Elsa and Fred offers an affirmation of life and its possibilities.
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