MOVIE TITLE: Eleanor the Great

RATING:
PG-13

LENGTH:
1 hour 35 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE:
A-

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Congratulations to Scarlett Johansson for her feature film directorial debut! Already, she has been nominated and won several film festival awards! The script was written by Tory Kamen.

This quiet yet powerful drama tells the story of Eleanor, an elderly woman whose carefully structured life unravels after the death of her best friend. Forced to confront loneliness and regret, she embarks on an unexpected journey to reconnect with her estranged daughter and rediscover her own courage.
Unlike loud blockbusters, this film whispers its truths and invites you to lean in close. It’s a touching reminder that it’s never too late to start living with purpose.

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TIPS FOR PARENTS:

• There’s mild profanity, brief alcohol use, and discussions about aging and death.
• The pacing may feel slow for younger viewers.
• Themes of grief, forgiveness, and family reconciliation make it best suited for teens and adults.
• Talk of the Holocaust and survivors

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THEMES:

• The importance of family and community
• Second chances
• The healing power of connection
• Facing grief and loss with grace
• Judaism
• Holocaust
• Loneliness
• Truth vs. lies
• Consequences
• The human experience
• Aging
• Memories

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THINGS I LIKED:

• June Squibb delivers a heartfelt, grounded performance that balances humor and heartbreak. It’s so great to see an older actress get a leading role in Hollywood. She’s in her 90s and just pumped out another fun movie in 2024 called Thelma! You can see my review of Thelma here. I thought the film was adorable and she was perfect in it.
• Erin Kellyman did a great job too. She’s British, but used an American accent for this role.
• The screenplay finds beauty in small moments, like a shared cup of tea or a simple walk down the street. Scarlett Johannson really sinks into the pocket of life’s quiet moments.
• I always love seeing Chiwetel Ejiofor in anything.
• The cinematography paints New York in soft, golden tones, echoing Eleanor’s gradual emotional awakening.
• I loved how the film shows friendship among older adults as something vibrant and vital, not just nostalgic.
• Beautiful score.

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THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

• Some scenes linger longer than necessary, making the story feel slower than it needs to be.
• A few side characters come across as underdeveloped, serving more as symbols than real people.
• At first glance, Eleanor appears dismissive, feisty, cranky, and insensitive with the people around her, making her an unpleasant protagonist to many viewers. Keep looking though…there is pain and grief to explore.
• Some may find the ending, while tender, wraps things up a bit too neatly.

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FUNNY LINES:

• “If I’ve made it this far without yoga, I think I’ll survive the rest of my life just fine.”
• “My phone doesn’t need a face scan. It already knows I’m tired.”

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INTERESTING LINES:

• “Grief doesn’t end; it just changes the furniture in your heart.”
• “Sometimes, you don’t need a map; you just need to start walking.”

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MOVIES LIKE THIS YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE:

• The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: https://amzn.to/439XhdL
• Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris: https://moviereviewmom.com/mrs-harris-goes-to-paris-movie-review/
• A Man Called Otto: https://moviereviewmom.com/a-man-called-otto-movie-review/
• The Hundred-Foot Journey: https://moviereviewmom.com/the-hundred-foot-journey-is-a-must-see-for-foodies/

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