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Elisa, My Love

Play trailer Poster for Elisa, My Love Released Mar 11, 1983 2h 5m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 2 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Luis (Fernando Rey), an elderly writer who has been separated from his family for years, has fallen ill, but his children have decided to travel to the countryside to visit him on what may be his final birthday. Though she hasn't spoken to her father for nearly a decade, Elisa (Geraldine Chaplin) has agreed to come as well, to at least get away from her husband if not to be with Luis. When her sister Isabel (Isabel Mestres) leaves, however, Elisa stays and looks to her father for guidance.

Critics Reviews

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Vincent Canby New York Times The main reasons to see the film are the two leading performances. Mr. Rey is always an interesting presence, and Miss Chaplin, as in all of her Saura films, reveals qualities of feeling, control and beauty that no other directors have ever found. Jul 24, 2019 Full Review Jesús Fernández Santos El Pais (Spain) The story, which begins with an affectionate and almost routine visit, becomes in the end a passionate cry, in sonorous solitude, a silent portrait of one of the key moments of human pain. [Full review in Spanish] Feb 7, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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S R I'm still somewhat confused with the dream sequences and the reality. Regardless, it is a reflective and artistic movie focusing on feelings and emotions. It had good moments, but it was drawn out. Saw on TCM. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/24 Full Review Dave S While Cria Cuervos remains Carlos Sauro's signature film, Elisa, Vida Mia isn't far behind. Set in an arid and desolate Spanish plain, Elisa (Geraldine Chaplin), a woman whose life is coming apart at the seams, pays a visit to her elderly father (Fernando Rey), a writer who has no interest in having his works published. Despite being filled with striking visuals, solid performances from Chaplin and the always charming Rey, creative direction, and some interesting philosophical musings, some viewers will be frustrated by its many flights of fantasy and a sporadically disjointed plot. However, those willing to hang in there until the end will be rewarded with a film that we can all related to in one way or another. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/16/23 Full Review Audience Member A total mindf*ck if you don't get too frustrated with the intentional misleading of the audience with narration juxtaposed with the opening of the movie. It's an art film: surrealism, social commentary, literary references, interpersonal relationship issues....it's a near masterpiece for Saura, on the heels of his other "obra maestra", Cria Cuervos. Out of all Saura's films, this film should appeal to the David Lynch fanbase the most. I only hope Criterion will release this with a more refined quality than the transfer I saw. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member La obra maestra de Saura...con un mano a mano asombroso entre Fernando Rey y Geraldine Chaplin y bello uso de la musica de Satie y el Pygmalion de Rameu...Saura luego la transformo en novela, a ver si ahora que Criterion rescato Cria Cuervos tambien rescatan esta joya perdida... Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Elisa, My Love

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Elisa, My Love

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Movie Info

Synopsis Luis (Fernando Rey), an elderly writer who has been separated from his family for years, has fallen ill, but his children have decided to travel to the countryside to visit him on what may be his final birthday. Though she hasn't spoken to her father for nearly a decade, Elisa (Geraldine Chaplin) has agreed to come as well, to at least get away from her husband if not to be with Luis. When her sister Isabel (Isabel Mestres) leaves, however, Elisa stays and looks to her father for guidance.
Director
Carlos Saura
Genre
Drama
Original Language
European Spanish
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 11, 1983, Limited
Runtime
2h 5m