My Old Lady (2014)

An American inherits an apartment in Paris that comes with an unexpected resident.

Director:

Israel Horovitz

Writers:

Israel Horovitz (written for the screen by), Israel Horovitz (play)

Stars:

Kevin Kline, Kristin Scott Thomas, Maggie Smith

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Kline	...	Mathias Gold
Michel Burstin	...	Rabbi on Bicycle
Elie Wajeman	...	Man at Gate
Maggie Smith	...	Mathilde Girard
Raphaële Moutier	...	Woman on Bicycle
Sophie Touitou	...	Female Opera Singer
Dominique Pinon	...	Auguste Lefebvre
Kristin Scott Thomas	...	Chloé Girard
Christian Rauth	...	Furniture Dealer
Delphine Lanson	...	Femme de Ménage
Noémie Lvovsky	...	Dr. Florence Horowitz
Stéphane De Groodt	...	Philippe
Jean-Christophe Allais	...	Jean-Christophe
Jocelyne Vignon	...	Chef
Nathalie Bernas	...	Younger Kissing Couple

Storyline

Mathias, a penniless fifty-odd-year-old New Yorker, lands in Paris. Both cynical and at the end of his tether, he looks forward to selling the mansion house his late father owned in the Marais district. But what he finds out there just appalls him: his secretive dad had never told him he had acquired the property as a life lease, a typically French custom he never heard of. As a consequence, not only will poor Mathias be unable to sell the house into cash (at least as long as Mathilde stays alive) but he will have to pay the old lady a pension into the bargain...!

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Plot Keywords:

apartment | dysfunctional family | cheating husband | cheating wife | selling an apartment | 

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Taglines:

He's in the will. She's in the way.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic material and some sexual references

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK France USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 November 2014 (UK)

Also Known As:

Mi vieja y querida dama

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$124,680, 12 September 2014, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$4,011,530, 9 January 2015

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Films,Cohen Media Group,Deux Chevaux Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This picture reunites Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott Thomas for the second time as mother and daughter roles. They starred in Keeping Mum together first.

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Goofs

Lefebvre says he bought his boat with a viager and that he was lucky because the owner died six days later. Under French law the seller must live for at least 20 days after the contracts are signed.

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Quotes

Chloé Girard: Say goodbye, say this is a mistake, say I got two beautiful daughters waiting for me at home and this is crazy.

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Crazy Credits

Midway through the credits, Mathias reveals his final decision on what he will do with the apartment and why. Additionally, after the end credits Mathias asks LeFebvre where he learned to speak English.

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Connections

Referenced in Film '72: Episode dated 19 November 2014 (2014)

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Soundtracks

Peace Like a River
Written by Paul Simon
Performed by Paul Simon
Courtesy of Legacy Recordings
By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Paris already enough for me

I used to be a "Parisian" well really only by birth; but I carry a lot of love about France and Paris. I also have a lot of feelings for Maggy Smith that has been rather omnipresent recently in cinemas. As for Kevin kline I always kept a vivid and enjoyable memory from "A fish call wanda". So I was rather comfortable in giving a go to "My old Lady" although I did not particularly like the tittle. I was not disappointed even if I felt a little boredom in the first half. And if one likes film for entertainment, in my view these should entertain as it entertained me. I did not feel like analysing the whole work too much as this is not why I watch films. For me it's important to leave the cinema with a rewarding feeling, whether I find the film intelligent, funny, or well paced as long it brings me something I feel worthwhile I'm happy. So I got a free trip back to Paris, laughters, and also something to think about! Four of us on the occasion had a good time!