Elsa & Fred

PG-13

Released Nov 7, 2014

1 hr. 44 min.

Romance

Comedy

List

33%

27 Reviews

Tomatometer

51%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

In New Orleans, a feisty retiree (Shirley MacLaine) and her new neighbor, an uptight widower (Christopher Plummer), discover that it's never too late for true love and romance.

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Georgan G

Seeing 2 great actors in an this drama/romantic/comedy was a delight. MacLaine is her usual vivacious self, with Plummer the character who changes. This might not hold as much interest for youngsters, but for older viewers it shows how good life can be--right up to the end.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/17/23

Full Review

pam s

It was a totally charming movie. Two great actors.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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andrea k

Spoiler alert.. There is nothing charming, funny or romantic about having an adventure at the expense of others. The scene of their running out of he restaurant fleecing the restaurant and the wait staff sends the wrong message. I found her character lacking, even fleeing the scene of the fender bender was not endearing or cute. It could have been an enjoyable movie if she was more likeable.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

isla s

I liked the characters in this film. I found it funny at times and sad in others. I thought Christopher Plummer and Shirley MacLaine seemed to get on well on screen and I liked the typically outrageous and rebellious nature of her character (Elsa). This is an easy and enjoyable watch. I'd recommend it, yes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I love Shirley MaClaine and I like Christopher Plummer but this movie didn't do it for me. Very slow moving and at times downright boring. The romance between Elsa and Fred just wasn't believable and honestly felt one-sided. Even the scenes in Rome and the tie-in to the movie La Dolce Vita didn't help much. I liked Scott Bacula as Elsa's son but Marcia Gay Harding was downright annoying as Fred's daughter. This is a good concept for a movie-two people finding love late in life, but it could have been a lot better.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Elsa and Fred is not an awful movie is just a pretty bland one. Movie has a few chuckles but not nearly as funny as it could’ve been. Story wise that you’re predictable romcom fair just with an older couple. The movie goes through all motions and it’s an OK watch. There is nothing offensive or groundbreaking here. An average film all around.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/29/20

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Michael Radford

Director

Shirley MacLaine

Elsa

Christopher Plummer

Fred

Marcia Gay Harden

Lydia

Wendell Pierce

Armande

Jared Gilman

Michael

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Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

Considering the CVs of all involved (not least Radford, who was Oscar-nominated for Il Postino) this remains little more than a gooey footnote.

Rated: 2/5

May 4, 2015

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Benjamin Lee

Guardian

The film is so lightweight, it almost doesn't exist.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 30, 2015

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John Hartl

Seattle Times

Unlike so many American remakes of foreign films, this reboot improves on the original, mostly because it takes full advantage of the star power of its English-speaking cast.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 18, 2014

Full Review

Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

A distracting cocktail of contrived ideas and easy resolutions.

Rated: 2.5/5

Sep 6, 2019

Full Review

Ben Nicholson

CineVue

It stars Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer as a pair of neighbouring oldies, struggling to breathe life into a staid scenario with rote characters, but the duo's undeniable quality manages to warm things up.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 5, 2019

Full Review

Kathy Fennessy

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

Elsa & Fred is only so-so.

Aug 21, 2017

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Synopsis

In New Orleans, a feisty retiree (Shirley MacLaine) and her new neighbor, an uptight widower (Christopher Plummer), discover that it's never too late for true love and romance.

Director: Michael Radford
Executive Producer: Aaron L. Gilbert, Jason Hewitt, Carsten H.W. Lorenz, Angel Losada Moreno, Gary Preisler
Screenwriter: Anna Pavignano, Michael Radford
Distributor: Millennium Films
Production Co: Cuatro Plus Films, Defiant Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Strong Language)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 7, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2017

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