Elsa & Fred

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Elsa & Fred

PG

Released Jun 27, 2008

1h 48m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

55%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

A fender bender on a Madrid street brings together 78-year-old Alfredo (Manuel Alexandre), a widowed hypochondriac, and Elsa (China Zorrilla), close in age to Alfredo but as free-spirited as he is uptight. The unlikely pair begin a late-life romance, with Elsa tempting the man she renames "Fred" into such acts of daring as ordering a hugely expensive meal at a restaurant and skipping out on the check. Alfredo in turn decides to make the one great wish of Elsa's life come true.

Critics Consensus

Boosted by charming performances by the octogenarian leads, Elsa and Fred overcomes its schmaltzy premise to make for a satisfying romantic tale.

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John Hartl

Seattle Times

In the end, only the veteran actors playing Elsa and Fred make the movie watchable.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 1, 2008

Full Review

Steve Davis

Austin Chronicle

The dream fulfillment seems more silly than romantic, and it brings the movie to an abrupt end that is wholly unsatisfying.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 1, 2008

Full Review

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

This starts to get interesting in the homestretch, as the woman's chronic deception begins to catch up with her, but for the most part it's an extended Geritol commercial.

Aug 1, 2008

Full Review

Stephen Schaefer

Boston Herald

Rated: B

Oct 18, 2008

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Peter Calder

New Zealand Herald

Shamelessly sentimental but beautifully handled story of septuagenarian love features two sublime lead performances.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 18, 2008

Full Review

Sarah Boslaugh

Playback:stl

Director Marcos Carnevale makes sure to get his ticket punched at every station in this journey through cinematic convention.

Rated: 5/10

Sep 19, 2008

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Poli P

Aguante el buen cine!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/24/25

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vivian m

I haven't stopped thinking about this wonderful movie. Regrettably the American version did not match up . Highly recommend, however regret not being able to find streaming allowing me to enjoy again....and again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

adorably grumpy old couple falling in love :) #hope

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

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Audience Member

Incredibly touching and sweet!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Elsa me estresaba jeje

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is a sweet and silly comedy. Emotional at times, funny at others, you really a good time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

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Marcos Carnevale

Director

Manuel Alexandre

Fred

China Zorrilla

Elsa

Blanca Portillo

Cuca

Roberto Carnaghi

Gabriel

José Ángel Egido

Paco

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13%

40%

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Synopsis

A fender bender on a Madrid street brings together 78-year-old Alfredo (Manuel Alexandre), a widowed hypochondriac, and Elsa (China Zorrilla), close in age to Alfredo but as free-spirited as he is uptight. The unlikely pair begin a late-life romance, with Elsa tempting the man she renames "Fred" into such acts of daring as ordering a hugely expensive meal at a restaurant and skipping out on the check. Alfredo in turn decides to make the one great wish of Elsa's life come true.

Director: Marcos Carnevale
Producer: José Antonio Félez
Screenwriter: Marcos Carnevale, Marcela Guerty, Lily Ann Martin
Distributor: Mitropoulos Films
Rating: PG (Some Mild Thematic Elements|Language)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 27, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2017
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital