October 31-November 3 | Friday-Monday | 1 hour, 38 minutes | Rated PG-13 |
Yes, this is Scarlet Johansson’s directorial debut, but the real headliner is June Squibb as the title character, a woman who decides to move back to New York City from Florida at 94 years old. Eleanor befriends a young film student (Erin Kellyman) who recently lost her mother, and it all seems quite nice and tidy — except that the story of being a Holocaust survivor that Eleanor told the student is actually her friend’s story, not her own, and it’s now being picked up by the student’s TV producer father. It’s one of those rare films with grief, humor, warmth, and actual complexity and nuance. It currently has a 94% Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes.
“The film allows [Squibb] a complexity rarely afforded to elderly characters. She radiates warmth in scenes with Kellyman, serving as a wise and witty grandmotherly figure, and exhibits sharp comedic timing when playing opposite Jessica Hecht.” -Sonia Rao, Washington Post
“The definition of truth, and the nature of grief, are explored through a salty, shrewd and satisfying performance from Squibb, who deserves and elevates all the roles that come her way.” -Thelma Adams, AARP Movies for Grownups
“Sqibb, Kellyman, Johansson, and first-time screenwriter Tory Kamen have made a film about loss, friendship, and compassion. Eleanor may not always be great, but this movie lets us see the parts of her that really are.” -Nell Minow, MovieMom
“Squibb knows exactly how to use spoonfuls of sugar to help the regret, the side-eye snark, and the heartache go down. The film’s just good enough. She’s great.” -David Fear, Rolling Stone
“This was a heartfelt, emotionally resonant story about the power of our lives and the capacity of our stories lingering on long after we’ve left this world. Take someone you love and see it.” -Kristen Lopez, The Film Maven
“Scarlett Johansson’s Eleanor the Great is exactly the kind of conventional, performer-led film one would expect from an actor. It also has the jackpot combination of being tear-inducing and laugh-out-loud funny.” -Ed Potton, The Times (UK)
Eleanor the Great opens at The Clyde on Friday, October 31, and plays Friday, Saturday, & Monday at 7:30, plus our first Sunday matinee of the season at 2:00.
