6.6/10
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4 user 3 critic

Tell Me a Riddle (1980)

PG | | Drama | 12 March 1982 (Sweden)
Tell Me a Riddle Poster
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 | 1 more credit »

Stars:

Melvyn Douglas, Lila Kedrova, Brooke Adams | See full cast & crew »
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On Disc

at Amazon

1 win & 1 nomination. See more awards »

Videos

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Photos

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Cast

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

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

f rated | old age | independent film | See All (3) »

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Russian

Release Date:

12 March 1982 (Sweden) See more »

Also Known As:

Berätta din gåta See more »

Filming Locations:

Marin County, California, USA See more »
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Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Godmother Productions See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1
See full technical specs »
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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. See more »

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User Reviews

 
Kedrova is magnificent!
8 October 2001 | by aromatic-2 – See all my reviews

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.
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