The Life of ELEANOR THE GREAT

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Scarlett Johansson and Sony Picture Classics is a tale of friendship and stories with ELEANOR THE GREAT.

Eleanor (June Squibb) and roommate/bestie Bessie (Rita Zohar) have a daily routine with one another. From morning coffee to long walks, their friendship has spanned decades, and so have their stories. When their time comes to a close, Eleanor finds herself moving to New York with daughter Lisa (Jessica Hecht) and grandson Max (Will Price). Lisa has decided its time for Mom to check out places where she can make friends and Eleanor isn’t too thrilled about that.

She does give in and wanders into the community center and a group gathered together to share. They are also introduced to Nina (Erin Kellyman) who is writing an article about survivors of the Holocaust and Eleanor realizes she has stumbled into the wrong group. As they talk, she can’t help but tell a story as if she were Bessie about her time in a concentration camp. Captivated by the story, Nina approaches her and asks if they can talk more. Believing her mom has found a group of new friends, Lisa feels less stressed and can focus on Max’s adolescent problems.

Eleanor is also surprised to discover that Nina’s father is none other than Roger (Chitwetel Ejiofor), someone Bessie admired greatly. She does find herself becoming friends with Nina and the young girl encourages Eleanor to continue telling her stories and spending time together. They learn more about one another but secrets have a way of coming out and that’s when friendships are tested and forgiveness feels impossible.

Squibb as Eleanor is absolutely stunning in this role as a woman who clearly has a life and history with her friend Bess. They have shared lives since their youth and that includes all the stories that come with it. Trying to start over again it never easy for anyone, but even less for someone who is under the roof of family that don’t understand her. Squibb gives us all the realities of aging from sensible shoes to feeling distant from the life she loved. There are so many moments of heartbreak and laughter that there never is enough time to recover from one to the other and I’d have it no other way.

Kellyman as Nina is a young woman following in her father’s journalistic footprints in her own way. Meeting Eleanor, she believes there is an important story to tell and will not let up on Eleanor until she agrees. Nina doesn’t understand the cost of it and Kellyman is lovely at showing us exactly what it means to love and lose and still love again. Ejiofor as Roger is a man grieving a loss and forgets that he is not the only one who is trying to find a place to put all the emotions. I love Ejiofor in everything he does, and here we see a man trying to do it all alone.

Hecht as Lisa is a daughter doing ‘her duty’ to bring Eleanor to come and live with them, even though she’s trying to find a way around that. There is a muddled history between mother and daughter as the roles are now reversed. Price as Max is a kid who is doing what kids do nowadays, their own thing with emotions that can fit on the head of a pin if it means dealing with anyone but themselves. Well done Price.

Shout out to Zohar as Bessie is so adorable and charming playing next to Squibb. It is totally believable that these two ladies could be lifelong friends.

Other cast includes Lauren Klein as Vera, Stephen Singer as Rabbi Cohen, Raymond Thomas as Professor Thompson, Tristan Murphy as Charlie, Stephen Bradbury as Ivan, Barbara Andres as Clarice, Samti Steigmann as Sami, Mila Falkof as Rebecca and Elaine Bromka as April.

Sony Pictures Classics brings television, digital content, new entertainment services, independent films and technologies to viewers. Such films as GREED, THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY, THE CLIMB, CHARM CITY KINGS, I CARRY YOU WITH ME and THE FATHER are just a few of the current and upcoming releases. For more information on what Sony Pictures Classics has to offer please visit www.sonyclassics.com.

ELEANOR THE GREAT was nominated for the Un Certain Regard Award and Golden Camera for Scarlett Johansson at the Cannes Film Festival, nominated for the Grand Special Prize and winner of the Audience Award for Scarlett Johansson at the Deauville Film Festival, and a nominee for Best Feature Film for Scarlett Johansson as the CineFest – Miskolc International Film Festival. 

There is so much about this film to love from the relationship of two life long friends, to mother-daughters history, new friendships but ultimate all in jeopardy because of one story that is told. I love the simplicity of the film that allows us to follow along being able to laugh, jaw drop, feel the pull of our hearts and a level of sincere friendship. Squibb is so marvelous of an actress who, at 95 years old, has put herself wholeheartedly into this story that I can not imagine anyone else playing this role.

This is Johansson’s directorial debut and taking on this storyline is so well done from start to credits. A generational story, we are taken on a journey of two stories – no matter how they are told it is love that transcended both. It is filled with complexities and although it might be easily pointed to Eleanor’s fib as the culprit, it is so much deeper than that and should resonate that way.

In the end – stories have a life of their own!

She is the One and Only THELMA

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this week from writer/director Josh Margolin and Magnolia Pictures is the story of a woman on a mission with THELMA.

Thelma (June Squibb) is an elderly woman living on her home since the death of her husband. Spending a lot of time with Thelma is grandson Daniel (Fred Hechinger) who helps where he can and teaches grandma something about the computer world. One morning Thelma receives a distressing telephone call that Daniel is in trouble and needs a large sum of money sent immediately to free him.

Being a good grandmother, Thelma immediately sends the funds in the mail. A bit later, she begins to wonder what she has done and calls Daniel to discover that he is fine and she has been scammed. Running over to question her is Daniels parents Gail (Parker Posey) and Alan (Clark Gregg). Beginning to wonder whether Thelma can continue to live alone, she has other ideas.

Taking off to see Ben (Richard Roundtree) to borrow his super-scooter, Thelma decides she is going to go to the address and get her money back. Now, Daniel, Gail and Alan are on the chase to find Thelma with the help of Detective Morgan (Chase Kim). Nothing is going to stop her from getting to those who underestimate the power of senior anger!

Squibb as Thelma absolutely slays in this role! Look, you don’t have to be 93 to want to put a criminal in his place and that’s exactly what Thelma does. Squibb’s voice might sound like that of a helpless senior but when the going gets tough, the tough snags a scooter! I just adored watching this story unfold because, if it be told, I’d probably want to do the exactly same thing. Squibb gives us a peek into the possibilities and, at the same time, understand her feelings of friendship, loss and being alone at her age. Just a wonderful performance!

Hechinger as Daniel is a truly kind grandson who wants to help grandma as much as possible. Even when she bucks, he makes it clear that he wants to be of service. At the same time, he is going through his own issues of breaking the cord between his parents and finding out what he is really made of.

Posey as Gail and Gregg as Alan are indecisive and a tad senior-judgmental people who don’t really understand Thelma and understand Daniel even less. They are all over the place and although their hearts may seem genuine, its hard to understand what makes them survive day to day. That’s not a bad thing, I’m just the outsider looking at them with a huge question mark over my head and then laughing.

Shout out to Roundtree as Ben living in a senior facility (are we not allowed to say nursing home anymore I wonder) and seeming to enjoy it. He also has a secret thang for Thelma and before he has a chance to say ‘bob’s your uncle’, Thelma has him caught up in the adventure and not so sure he’s enjoying it. I enjoyed watching Roundtree and, along with Squibb, show that one senior is good – two is a force to be reckoned with.

Other cast include Shela Korsi as Gloria, Annie O’Donnell as Grace, Zoe Worth as the Theater Director, David Giuliani as Starey Gary, Ruben Rabasa as Winston, Nicole Byer as Rochelle, Quinn Beswick as Colin, Coral Pena as Allie, and Bunny Levine as Mona.

Magnolia Pictures is responsible for such releases as SLAY THE DRAGON, JOHN LEWIS: Good Trouble, the crime thriller THE WHISTLERS, documentaries such as THE PIECES I AM and films such as the directorial debut of Italian filmmaker Filippo Meneghetti. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.magpictures.com.

THELMA is so much fun to watch and it is because of Squibb and her ability to pull of comedy. I have always enjoyed her performances but this one might by my favorite. She takes the lead and holds it the entire film with her charm, sweetness (until further notice), and focus on the task at hand! To my mind, criminals need to be on notice when someone like Thelma is around.

The underlying story is also quite touching as Thelma lives alone and doesn’t realize how that has had her feeling till she visits friends. Seeing for herself that there is a sadness for people her age. Thelma has made a life for herself but forgot to let others into that life to enjoy the years that pass all too quickly.

In the midst of all of this mix is pure comedy gold. Squibb and Roundtree together had me laughing so much. The adventure could never have been what Thelma imagined but it certainly didn’t stop her from the finish line. Watching everyone else run around like mad to save Thelma from herself, its too bad they didn’t understand that she had things under control, well, in her own special way and that’s all that matters. What a wonderful story that writer/director Margolin has brought to the screen so if you are looking for heartwarming, adventurous fun, then let THELMA take you on a ride.

In the end – revenge has never been sweeter!

BLOW THE MAN DOWN

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Amazon Prime from writer/directors Bridget Savage Cole, Danielle Krudy and Amazon Studios comes a story of twists and a town singing BLOW THE MAN DOWN.

Priscilla (Sophie Lowe) and Mary Beth Connolly (Morgan Saylor) are mourning the death of their mother, Mary Margaret. Living in a small fishing village, everyone comes to try and support the girls including their mother’s friends Gail (Annette O’Toole), Doreen (Marceline Hugot) and Susie (June Squibb).

Hearing people talk, Mary Beth finds out that they might lose the house and gets upset with Priscilla. To get away she heads to the local bar and meets Gorski (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). Going back to his place, things don’t go very well, and chaos breaks out. Going home to get help from Priscilla, they try to cover up the mess.

The next morning at the store owned by their mother, Priscilla discovers she is missing something that could get themselves in trouble. Opening their front door, she sees Enid (Margo Martindale), also a friend of their mother’s but not welcomed by the other three in the group.

Officer Coletti (Skipp Sudduth) also knocks wanting to borrow their boat since they’ve found a body. Pricilla goes along but doesn’t recognize who the girl is but Alexis (Gayle Rankin) knows exactly who the victim is. Now, there are more secrets than that of Pricilla and Mary Beth, secrets that go further than they could ever have imagined.

The shock has ripples that show no mercy.

Lowe as Priscilla is the calm and collected sister who thinks things through and realizes that their mother’s death brings a new set of realities. As mad as she gets at Mary Beth, there isn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her – anything. Lowe is such a presence in the film and I just couldn’t take my eyes off her.

Saylor as Mary Beth is outrageous and has anger towards what she feels is a year of her life wasted. Making a crazy decision is what gets the sisters into a mess that doesn’t seem to have a way out – even if she thinks she’s found a way out. Saylor goes with the flow of craziness in a way I never could.

Moss-Bachrach as Gorski isn’t happy with the life in this small town and how he makes his living. There is a streak about him that is disconcerting and he’s so good at it. Sudduth as Coletti is an officer who is trying to discover who murdered the girl, but he isn’t getting help from anybody in town. They have their secrets and aren’t about to share them with the law.

O’Toole as Gail, Hugot as Doreen and Squibb as Susie are the three ladies I’d love to hang out with. They keep their eye on everything that happens in their little town and don’t take any nonsense. That seems to be the difference between them and Martindale as Enid. Enid is trouble waiting to explode and the three ladies aren’t happy with the nonsense she is causing in their town. When they see Alexis played by Rankin, it is time to put their foot down, but Enid isn’t the type to take anything from anyone – even her ‘so-called’ friends. Martindale has the unique ability to play the most amazing characters, from a loving character to a down right bitch, she excels and in this film she doesn’t disappoint.

Shout out to the Singing Fisherman, I absolutely loved their singing and thought where they were placed in the film was absolutely stellar.

Other cast include Will Brittain as Officer Justin Brennan, Owen Burke as Paulie, Thomas Kee as Declan Crawley, David Coffin, David Pridemore, Adam Mayerson and Mark S. Cartier as the Singing Fisherman.

BLOW THE MAN DOWN is a story of sisters, friendships and the secrets a little town can have that are almost impossible to penetrate. The characters are completely memorable, and I don’t think I will forget any of them for a very long time.

I absolutely love the originality of the film and the way writers/directors Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy left my jaw dropping constantly. This isn’t just one storyline – it is several and they all mesh in an amazing way and wrap up beautifully.

If you are looking for something twisted, unusual and stunning to watch then you need to see BLOW THE MAN DOWN because discussions will be had after.

In the end – it is a small town with big secrets!

Welcome to the Reception and TABLE 19 on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray/DVD and Digital HD this week from director Jeffrey Blitz, the comedy writing of Jay and Mark Duplass and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is the best group at TABLE 19.

Preparing for a weekend getaway wedding, Eloise (Anna Kendrick) isn’t as happy as one would think. Also invited is Walter Thimple (Stephen Merchant), the Kepp’s Bina (Lisa Kudrow) and Jerry (Craig Robinson), Rezno Eckberg (Tony Revolori) and former nanny Jo Flanagan (June Squibb).

Showing up in their wedding finery, they head to the reception discovering they are all being seated at table 19 in the back of the hall. Spending a few moments making introductions, Eloise shows up and proceeds to lay it on thick.

She informs them all that she was once the maid-of-honor but broke up with boyfriend Teddy (Wyatt Russell) who happens to be the brother of the bride. Stunning her table-mates with her forwardness, Eloise gets a bit brutal informing them of why they are at Table 19.

Bina and Jerry spend time snipping at one another, Walter can’t seem to answer direct questions put to him; Rezno has a mother who pushes him to find a girl at the reception and Nanny Jo has tales to tell of the bride and her brother.

Eloise tries to forget that she’s in the same room with Teddy and it is everyone at table 19 who stands by her – and each other. The most unlikely table becomes the most likely to find the true meaning of friendship.

Kendrick as Eloise is endearing and has a biting wit that gets her into a bit of trouble. Losing brides maid status is the least of Eloise’s’ problems yet sitting at table 19 offers her more than she could have ever expected. Kendrick has the awesome knack of bringing relatability to a character and even when she’s being a tad wretched, she easily receives forgiveness.

Kudrow as Bina is a woman clearly unhappy with the way her life is turning out. Feeling alienated from the young married life she remembers is causing a rift now. Kudrow gives us her funny side mixed in with a motherly attitude towards the group. Robinson as Jerry seems to have become fixed in his life as a diner owner and book reader but that’s only on the surface.

Russell as Teddy has a magazine rack full of issues and wishes Eloise would just go away so he won’t have to deal with any of them. Merchant as Thimple is absolutely hilarious as his story unfolds. He starts as the odd man out who isn’t as odd as people may think. Revolori as Rezno is a young man clearly trying to find his way through life and at table 19 he’s doing it wearing a furry tie. He is a straight forward character who clearly needs to break free!

Squibb as Nanny Jo is the jewel in this film, the icing on the wedding cake and the stuff that older lady’s are made of. I loved every moment of her performance and no one could have ever done it better. She is amazing and all I could think is how cool it would be to hang out with a Nanny Jo.

Other cast include Margo Martindale as Rezno’s mother Freda, Thomas Cocquerel as Huck, Andrew Daly as Luke Pfaffler, and Maria Thayer as Kate Milner.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment brings award-winning global product and new entertainment to DVD, Bluray, and Digital HD. There amazing collection offers fans an opportunity to expand their own home libraries with the best films. To discover what other titles they have please visit www.fox.com.

TABLE 19 is a quirky, twisted, hilarious, heartfelt, jaw drop of a story filled with moments that are so relatable for anyone who has ever attended a reception. None of this surprises me as the Duplass brothers have once again brought every range of emotion in one afternoon. If anything else, the next time anyone attends a reception after seeing the film will wonder why they are at their assigned table.

Of course I’m leaving out a lot of detail because I had such a good time watching this film that I want everyone to enjoy it as well. This cast is just magical bringing out the best and worst of their characters only to discover that we are all broken in some way or another. This is the film you share with everyone because every minute is relatable!

The Bluray and DVD Special Features includes Deleted Scenes of Carol Milner Kills It, Cousin Donny Toasts It, Infamous Kate Works It and Table 19 Swings It and the Featurettes Table of Rejects, Head of the Table and Table for Six. Make sure to give the special features a look because it adds so much more to the film.

Quick to judge, quick to anger, quick to run and quick to realize that we all need one another to get through the craziness of life. These characters just remind us to have a sense of humor while it all plays out the way it’s supposed to. So, get some cake and gladly sit up at TABLE 19.

In the end – you are invited to the wedding of the season.

Welcome to the Reception and TABLE 19

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres this Friday from director Jeffrey Blitz, the comedy writing of Jay and Mark Duplass and Fox Searchlight Pictures is the best group at TABLE 19.

Preparing for a weekend getaway wedding, Eloise (Anna Kendrick) isn’t as happy as one would think. Also invited is Walter Thimple (Stephen Merchant), the Kepp’s Bina (Lisa Kudrow) and Jerry (Craig Robinson), Rezno Eckberg (Tony Revolori) and former nanny Jo Flanagan (June Squibb).

Showing up in their wedding finery, they head to the reception discovering they are all being seated at table 19 in the back of the hall. Spending a few moments making introductions, Eloise shows up and proceeds to lay it on thick.

She informs them all that she was once the maid-of-honor but broke up with boyfriend Teddy (Wyatt Russell) who happens to be the brother of the bride. Stunning her table-mates with her forwardness, Eloise gets a bit brutal informing them of why they are at Table 19.

Bina and Jerry spend time snipping at one another, Walter can’t seem to answer direct questions put to him; Rezno has a mother who pushes him to find a girl at the reception and Nanny Jo has tales to tell of the bride and her brother.

Eloise tries to forget that she’s in the same room with Teddy and it is everyone at table 19 who stands by her – and each other. The most unlikely table becomes the most likely to find the true meaning of friendship.

Kendrick as Eloise is endearing and has a biting wit that gets her into a bit of trouble. Losing brides maid status is the least of Eloise’s’ problems yet sitting at table 19 offers her more than she could have ever expected. Kendrick has the awesome knack of bringing relatability to a character and even when she’s being a tad wretched, she easily receives forgiveness.

Kudrow as Bina is a woman clearly unhappy with the way her life is turning out. Feeling alienated from the young married life she remembers is causing a rift now. Kudrow gives us her funny side mixed in with a motherly attitude towards the group. Robinson as Jerry seems to have become fixed in his life as a diner owner and book reader but that’s only on the surface.

Russell as Teddy has a magazine rack full of issues and wishes Eloise would just go away so he won’t have to deal with any of them. Merchant as Thimple is absolutely hilarious as his story unfolds. He starts as the odd man out who isn’t as odd as people may think. Revolori as Rezno is a young man clearly trying to find his way through life and at table 19 he’s doing it wearing a furry tie. He is a straight forward character who clearly needs to break free!

Squibb as Nanny Jo is the jewel in this film, the icing on the wedding cake and the stuff that older lady’s are made of. I loved every moment of her performance and no one could have ever done it better. She is amazing and all I could think is how cool it would be to hang out with a Nanny Jo.

Other cast include Margo Martindale as Rezno’s mother Freda, Thomas Cocquerel as Huck, Andrew Daly as Luke Pfaffler, and Maria Thayer as Kate Milner.

TABLE 19 is a quirky, twisted, hilarious, heartfelt, jaw drop of a story filled with moments that are so relatable for anyone who has ever attended a reception. None of this surprises me as the Duplass brothers have once again brought every range of emotion in one afternoon. If anything else, the next time anyone attends a reception after seeing the film will wonder why they are at their assigned table.

Of course I’m leaving out a lot of detail because I had such a good time watching this film that I want everyone to enjoy it as well. This cast is just magical bringing out the best and worst of their characters only to discover that we are all broken in some way or another.

Quick to judge, quick to anger, quick to run and quick to realize that we all need one another to get through the craziness of life. These characters just remind us to have a sense of humor while it all plays out the way it’s supposed to. So, get some cake and be a part of TABLE 19.

In the end – you are invited to the wedding of the season.