Elsa & Fred (2014)

A withdrawn senior experiences life in new ways when he begins spending time with the free-spirited woman who lives across the hall.

Director:

Michael Radford

Writers:

Marcos Carnevale (original screenplay), Marcela Guerty (original screenplay)

Stars:

Shirley MacLaine, Christopher Plummer, Marcia Gay Harden

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shirley MacLaine	...	Elsa
Christopher Plummer	...	Fred
Marcia Gay Harden	...	Lydia
Wendell Pierce	...	Armande
Jared Gilman	...	Michael
Erika Alexander	...	Laverne
Chris Noth	...	Jack
Scott Bakula	...	Raymond
George Segal	...	John
Reg Rogers	...	Alec
James Brolin	...	Max
Sam Medina	...	Taxi Cab Driver
Jackie Tuttle	...	Receptionist
Michael Hartson	...	Dance School Director
Deanna Meske	...	Laura

Storyline

"Elsa and Fred" is the story of two people who at the end of the road, discover that it's never too late to love and make dreams come true. Elsa has lived for the past 60 years dreaming of a moment that Fellini had already envisaged: the scene in 'La Dolce Vita' at the Fontana di Trevi. The same scene without Anita Ekberg in it, but with Elsa instead. Without Marcello Mastroianni but with that love that took so long to arrive. Fred has always been a good man who did everything he was supposed to do. After losing his wife, he feels disturbed and confused and his daughter decides that it would be best if he moves into a smaller apartment where he ends meeting Elsa. From that moment on, everything changes. Elsa bursts into his life like a whirlwind, determined to teach him that the time he has left to live -- be it more or less -- is precious and that he should enjoy it as he pleases. Fred surrenders to Elsa's frenzy, to her youth, to her boldness, to her beautiful madness. And this is ...

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Plot Keywords:

wading in a fountain | cat | elderly man | elderly woman | portrait | 

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Taglines:

It's never too late.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language

Details

Country:

USA Canada Mexico Puerto Rico

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 November 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Elsa and Fred

Filming Locations:

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$65,275, 9 November 2014

Gross USA:

$285,863

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$761,923

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cuatro Plus Films, Defiant Pictures, Creative Andina

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

It is an english language adaptation of a successful Spanish-Argentinian film from 2005 with the same title.

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Quotes

Elsa Hayes: Life is long, and when you've lived so many years, and you do things, and you don't think when you're doing them, that they matter all that much. And then one day you wake up and you realize that you managed quite a bit, and so much so that you can't even remember all of it.

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Connections

Remake of Elsa & Fred (2005)

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Soundtracks

Quartet for Strings No.3 in D Major Op. 18/3 - Andante con Moto
Written by Ludwig van Beethoven
Arranged by Jim Long (ASCAP)
Courtesy of Crucial Music Corporation and Point Classics

User Reviews

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS MOVIE!

If you are of a certain age and still hopeful about life and love, you will love this movie. Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer are perfectly cast and give wonderful performances, especially Shirley. I will not go into the plot or reveal any spoilers but suffice it say that this is the perfect lazy, glass of wine with cheese and fruit Saturday afternoon movie for those of guys of a certain age.