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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Title: Tell Me a Riddle (1980)
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1 win & 1 nomination.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Melvyn Douglas | ... | David | |
| Lila Kedrova | ... | Eva | |
| Brooke Adams | ... | Jeannie | |
| Dolores Dorn | ... | Vivi | |
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Bob Elross | ... | Sammy |
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Jon Harris | ... | Mathew |
| Zalman King | ... | Paul | |
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Winifred Mann | ... | Hannah |
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Peter Owens | ... | Phil |
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Deborah Sussel | ... | Nancy |
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Lili Valenty | ... | Mrs. Mays |
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Nora Heflin | ... | Young Eva |
| Peter Coyote | ... | Young David | |
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Nora Bendich | ... | Lisa |
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Robert Behling | ... | Tim |
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
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.
Genres:
DramaParents Guide:
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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 »Connections
Featured in Sneak Previews: Windwalker, Tell Me A Riddle, Friday the 13th Part 2, Lion of the Desert (1981) See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
12 March 1982 (Sweden) See more »Also Known As:
Berätta din gåta See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$1,500,000 (estimated)Company Credits
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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.