Tell Me a Riddle (1980)

Touching story of elderly couple David and Eva who go on one last journey across the USA when they discover Eva is dying, ending up with their granddaughter Jeannie in San Francisco.

Director:

Lee Grant

Writers:

Joyce Eliason, Alev Lytle,

Stars:

Melvyn Douglas, Lila Kedrova, Brooke Adams

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Melvyn Douglas	...	David
Lila Kedrova	...	Eva
Brooke Adams	...	Jeannie
Dolores Dorn	...	Vivi
Bob Elross	...	Sammy
Jon Harris	...	Mathew
Zalman King	...	Paul
Winifred Mann	...	Hannah
Peter Owens	...	Phil
Deborah Sussel	...	Nancy
Lili Valenty	...	Mrs. Mays
Nora Heflin	...	Young Eva
Peter Coyote	...	Young David
Nora Bendich	...	Lisa
Robert Behling	...	Tim

Storyline

Touching story of elderly couple David and Eva who go on one last journey across the USA when they discover Eva is dying, ending up with their granddaughter Jeannie in San Francisco.

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Plot Keywords:

old age | independent film

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

12 August 1982 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

David et Eva

Filming Locations:

Marin County, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Godmother Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tillie Olsen's short story "Tell Me a Riddle" was awarded the O. Henry Award for best short story of 1961 after it was published in "New World Writing" Issue no. 16.

User Reviews

Kedrova is magnificent!

Lila Kedrova is stupendous in as magnificent a performance as I have ever seen an elderly actress give on the screen. Douglas and Adams are also terrific as Kedrova's husband and estranged daughter respectively, but it is Kedrova who elevates this last-journey-before-I-die soaper far above its roots. The pacing is a tad slow, but the terrific photography, sensitive score, and magnificent performances more than make up for any shortcomings.

Warning, the first time I saw it, the male friend who was with me hated it, and wanted to walk out. When I recently re-watched it off cable, a male colleague called it "incredibly boring." Since I and every other woman I know who saw it loved it, I conclude that most men I know don't really get the subtleties of what was truly going on. Because Lila's relationships with her husband and daughter are reflected against the prism of her life, the director's artistic brilliance needs to be absorbed rather than spoon-fed. So my advice to other women is to see this one alone or with another woman. Otherwise, you may find yourself constantly being nagged to put on something with some action in it.

That being said, this is a terrific and sensitive movie. Enjoy it.