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Editorial/Description:Product Description: All but abandoned by her family in a london retirement hotel an elderly woman strikes up a curious friendship with a young writer. Studio: Westlake Entertainmnt Inc Release Date: 12/05/2006 Starring: Joan Plowright Zoe Tapper Run time: 108 minutes Director: Dan Ireland Amazon.com: The talented indie director Dan Ireland (The Whole Wide World, ) brings his deft, intimate touch to a lovely tale of family--and how to build one. Joan Plowright is Mrs. Palfrey, a genteel widow who moves to London to start her life anew, and to be less of a burden to her daughter. When she arrives at the dowdy Claremont Hotel, which is not quite the picture of loveliness it was in the brochure, Plowright delivers Mrs. P's quick assessment--"Oh, dear"--with a spot-on mix of fleeting disappointment and stiff-upper-lip-itude. As she settles in among the oddball residents of the hotel, her life appears to be heading into a slow, downward decline. But when she meets young aspiring writer Ludovic (the adorable British actor Rupert Friend), Mrs. P--and we--learns that real family ties can be chosen, not inherited. The storyline is familiar and simple, with echoes of Tuesdays with Morrie, but the intimacy portrayed by the two lead actors brings surprising layers and emotion to the film, which envelopes the viewer like a cozy shawl. Extras include an excellent commentary with Ireland and producer Zachary Matz, Plowright's acceptance speech for an AARP award for her role in the film, and photo galleries. --A.T. Hurley
Customer Reviews:
Simply nice; warm and touching.
January 1, 2009
I came upon this movie accidentally and I have to say I loved it from the very beginning. I have watched it a few more times since then and I am sure it will become a classic, one of those movies that get you every time you watch it. Wonderful acting by Joan Plowright and an excellent performance by Rupert Friend. This story tells of the accidental (literally) meeting by two lonely souls that blossoms into a warm and caring friendship. I really LOVE this movie and highly recommend it.
What a suprise
January 1, 2009
Was not expecting anything, but the movie pulled me in. Very enjoyable and helps you review your own life.
Pretty boy + Grandma= not working
December 30, 2008
This movie was just okay for me a coworker had watched it and liked it so I decided to give it a whirl. It's about this retired widow who decides to move into the claremont hotel in London, by a freak accident she meets this dashing young man who pretends to be her grandson and this leads to confusion and laughs ha ha. This just doesn't seem plausible a story since the young man with his chiseled model looks couldn't possibly befriend this old lady I'm sure he had better things to do.
Pure enchantment!
December 29, 2008
I discovered this fascinating film while reviewing Joan Plowright's filmography at imdb.com. That I missed it at my local art house is unfortunate, for I'd have loved to witness it on the big screen. Still, it has become one of my very favorites, and I watch it often, happily. I somehow feel cocooned in a warm, comfortable blanket while I watch the interplay of the main characters, almost as if I was ensconced before a fireplace.
Ms. Plowright is one of the finest actresses I know, going all the way back to "Enchanted April," Here she is wonderfully matched with Rupert Friend, who I'd never seen before, as the leading man. Somehow they create an ersatz familial love of the most wonderful sort!
This one ranks right up there with "An Affair To Remember" in my book!
Slow and predictable
December 24, 2008
I didn't like the superficial and syrupy way the movie portrayed the subject matter. Rupert Friend was thoroughly unconvincing. The dialogue was trite. The characters were all stereo-typical. I expected much more and was disappointed by just about everything but the scenery.
A slow, totally unconvincing and highly predictable movie.
Plowright's appearance was the only other redeeming factor.
The issues of aging, loneliness and unlikely friendship could and should have been presented in a manner more worthy of both Plowright and the audience.
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