|
Mrs. Palfrey at the
Claremont
Directed by: Dan Ireland
Starring: Joan Plowright
Genre:
Drama
Run Time: 108
min.
Release Date:
November 2005
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
You know when a director
with the last name of Ireland does a film about a Scottish lady coming
to London that there’s got to be some major appeal.
Independent film lovers will cheer for MRS. PALFREY AT THE CLAREMONT, a
story with a strong script, excellent acting, and some sumptuous English
scenery.
Joan Plowright (JANE EYRE, 1996) stars as Mrs. Palfrey, an aging widow
who’s traveled from Scotland to London to start her life anew in her
sunset years. She decides to spend her waning years at a retirement
hotel called The Claremont, a somewhat drab locale from what was
advertised to Mrs. Palfrey in a picture magazine. No matter. She makes
herself comfortable, running into The Claremont’s quirky staff and
residents. The bellhop is a portly and sonorous balding man who mumbles
more than he speaks. And the residents range from overly-nosy to
irritatingly grumpy. But most want to know why Mrs. Palfrey’s grandson,
Desmond, (whom she calls all the time) doesn’t come to see her.
One potentially rainy day, Mrs. Palfrey is returning from an outdoor
excursion, hurrying home, when she stumbles and falls outside a young
man’s flat. The 26-year-old man’s odd name is Ludovic Meyer (Rupert
Friend, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, 2005). Ludy (as he likes to be called)
helps Mrs. Palfrey and in return asks that she help him write a really
great novel. He wants to use her years and experience to aid in his
telling of the story. Ludy seems like such a nice young man that Mrs.
Palfrey agrees. Ludy walks Mrs. Palfrey home and everyone at The
Claremont immediately believes this to be the elusive Desmond. Mrs.
Palfrey lets this deception continue and even invites Ludy over for
dinner at The Claremont posing as her grandson. Everyone is smitten with
Mrs. Palfrey’s faux-grandson and a relationship between Mrs. Palfrey and
Ludy starts blossoming.
This isn’t a Harry and Maude relationship. This is a relationship not
built on a scrap of sexual innuendo. It is a love of friendship and
understanding that reaches deep into each of the characters and pulls
out of it a fantastic end of life/beginning of life set of
circumstances. The beauty of Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont is that the
story builds on each subsequent scene, moving us deeper and deeper into
their lives. We see Mrs. Palfrey’s love of her dead husband, Arthur, and
the beginnings of Ludy’s relationship with a beautiful young lady thanks
to a movie recommendation by Mrs. Palfrey.
Although the beginning of the film takes a while to catch on (i.e., it
may seem painstakingly slow to some), the ending is well worth your
time. It is a story that’s been told before, but not with such impact,
and this is undoubtedly thanks to the strong script by Ruth Sacks based
on Elizabeth Taylor’s bestselling novel (no, not that Elizabeth Taylor).
Also, the filming at the New Forest Palace grounds near the Abbey at
Beaulieu was some wonderful visual candy for fans of this film. It was
unbelievably beautiful.
One big warning: make sure you keep a box of Kleenex next to you as the
story comes to a close. You’ll need ‘em.
(back to top) |
Image from Mrs. Palfrey at
the Claremont
DVD cost: $14.99
Purchase:
BestPrices.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
When referring to Rupert
Friend, director Dan Ireland said, "Finding a young actor that could
match the amazing Joan Plowright was perhaps the most challenging aspect
of casting that I've ever been faced with."
Movie Quote: "I
had imagined something quite different."
Other Actors/Actresses
from Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont
   |
