83
Seattle Post-Intelligencer by Bill White
And who would have guessed that, in this age of excess and one-upmanship, when bigger is always better, the year's most romantic screen kiss would last a mere two seconds.
Elsa & Fred (Elsa y Fred)
Critic Rating
(read reviews)User Rating
- Argentina,
- Spain
- 2005
- · 108m
Director
Marcos Carnevale
Cast
China Zorrilla,
Manuel Alexandre,
Federico Luppi,
Blanca Portillo,
José Ángel Egido,
Omar Muñoz
Genre
Comedy,
Drama,
Romance
Fred is an introverted hypochondriac widower living in Madrid, who meets his colorful, extroverted Argentinian neighbor Elsa. Elsa is a compulsive liar hiding an illness, but the two very different retirees, both in their 70s, find an unexpected connection that brings new passion to their lives.
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What are critics saying?
75
Chicago Tribune
Though recalling a truckload of antecedents, "Harold and Maude" and "Sweet November" among them, Elsa & Fred manages enough fresh touches and performance subtleties to stand alone as an irresistible, bittersweet comedy.
75
TV Guide Magazine by Maitland McDonagh
Sentimental, formulaic, predictable and shamelessly manipulative, Marcos Carnevale’s tale of late-life love is also genuinely heartbreaking and heartening.
75
New York Post by Lou Lumenick
A disarming Spanish dramedy of late-life love, speaks a universal language.
75
Chicago Tribune by Sid Smith
Though recalling a truckload of antecedents, "Harold and Maude" and "Sweet November" among them, Elsa & Fred manages enough fresh touches and performance subtleties to stand alone as an irresistible, bittersweet comedy.
75
San Francisco Chronicle by Ruthe Stein
Worth seeing just to admire how Argentine writer-director Marcos Carnevale avoids so much as a whiff of condescension.
63
Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert
A sweet but inconsequential romantic comedy.
60
Los Angeles Times by Kevin Thomas
The film may be fearlessly sentimental, but it is sturdy enough to provide rewarding major roles for two veterans, who are of an age when such starring parts are rare.
60
NPR by Bob Mondello
By movie's end, director Marcos Carnevale has made it possible for you to see Elsa through Fred's eyes. Love has bloomed late -- but with sweet exuberance -- in this romantic charmer.
50
The New York Times by Jeannette Catsoulis
Best enjoyed as a sampling of Ms. Zorrilla's combustible energy and still dazzling screen presence.
50
Village Voice
The problem isn't the acting; both actors are superb. It's Elsa's character that is so difficult to take. Only the hopelessly romantic will be able to tolerate her.
50
Variety by Jonathan Holland
Predictable fare that only occasionally fulfils its intention of being simultaneously heartbreaking and heartening.
50
Chicago Reader by J.R. Jones
This begins to get interesting in the home stretch, as the woman's chronic deception begins to catch up with her, but for the most part it's an extended Geritol commercial.
42
The A.V. Club by Noel Murray
It's hard to overlook how much of Elsa & Fred is rote and pre-chewed.
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