Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont 2005

    This film is based on a novel by Elizabeth Taylor (not the actress).  Sarah Palfrey had a long and happy marriage but now she is a widow.  She moves into a London residential hotel.  It doesn’t live up to its online description as lively and elegant.  It’s not at all lively and it is an old worn elegance.  She is hoping her grandson that lives in London will come by for visits and dinners.  On a walking trip to post a letter and pick up a library book for another resident, she falls and a young man invites her into his flat.  Ludovic tends to her injured knee and she invites him to come to dinner.  There is confusion at the Claremont and everyone thinks this is her grandson. 

     This is a good story with good characters.  Mrs. Palfrey is not a ‘hip’ grandmother, she acts and is her real age.  Ludovic finds inspiration in her life and he is able to write his first novel.  Many times a ‘family’ that is chosen can outshine real family!!  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

108 min, Comedy directed by Dan Ireland with Joan Plowright, Rupert Friend, Zoe Tapper, Robert Lang, Marcia Warren, Anna Massey, Georgina Hale, Millicent Martin, Michael Culkin, Emma Pike.

Note:  Imdb 7.7 out of 10, 71% critic 82% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3*, Amazon 4.5* out of 5* with 927 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Hampshire, London, Middlesex, England, UK.  Eighty year-old Ruth Sacks wrote the screenplay.  Rupert Friend plays Peter Quinn on Homeland.