Eleanor the Great

Excellent movie. It's a tear jerker.

Grief tends to be one of those taboo subjects that many of us are reluctant to talk about, let alone address. But, by failing to do so, we may end up saddling ourselves with a tremendous burden that weighs us down and from which escape can be difficult. Thats especially true for those whove experienced devastating losses through such events as the death of loved ones or, even more horrifically, through traumatic experiences, such as being a firsthand witness/survivor of the Holocaust. Those are among the painful human tragedies experienced by a diverse but connected collection of scarred individuals in this impressive directorial debut from actress Scarlett Johansson. When 94-year-old widow Eleanor (June Squibb) loses her longtime best frie...

Eleanor (June Squibb) is having to move back to New York to live with her daughter Lisa (Jessica Hecht) whod far rather she was properly cared for in an home. Its not that she doesnt love her mother, its more that she lives an hectic life and wants to ensure she is properly looked after. Eleanor, on the other hand, has no intention of retiring to a chair in Gods waiting room and is determined to retain as much of her independence as her ninety-four years will allow. Lisa had enrolled her in a few community activities and declining the old folks Sondheim club, she inadvertently ends up in a room with some Holocaust survivors - and they assume that she is one of their number. Now rather than skedaddle, Eleanor starts to regale them with an he...