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Elsa & Fred

Play trailer Poster for Elsa & Fred PG-13 2014 1h 44m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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33% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 51% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
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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Elsa & Fred

Critics Reviews

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Mark Kermode Observer (UK) 05/04/2015
2/5
Considering the CVs of all involved (not least Radford, who was Oscar-nominated for Il Postino) this remains little more than a gooey footnote. Go to Full Review Benjamin Lee Guardian 04/30/2015
2/5
The film is so lightweight, it almost doesn't exist. Go to Full Review John Hartl Seattle Times 12/18/2014
2.5/4
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. Go to Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com 09/06/2019
2.5/5
A distracting cocktail of contrived ideas and easy resolutions. Go to Full Review Ben Nicholson CineVue 04/05/2019
3/5
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. Go to Full Review Kathy Fennessy The Stranger (Seattle, WA) 08/21/2017
Elsa & Fred is only so-so. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Georgan G @RT98616417 05/17/2023 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. See more andrea k @RT99347729 10/07/2022 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. See more isla s @RT89656869 09/03/2022 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. See more 09/12/2020 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. See more 03/29/2020 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. See more 08/17/2017 It was a great romantic comedy. Sure some of the plot has been done before but it didn't make it any less lovable. See more Read all reviews
Elsa & Fred

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Cast & Crew

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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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Elsa & Fred

Elsa & Fred (2014) Elsa & Fred (2014) Elsa & Fred (2014) Shirley MacLaine as Elsa Hayes and Christopher Plummer as Fred Barcroft in "Elsa & Fred." Christopher Plummer as Fred Barcroft in "Elsa & Fred." Shirley MacLaine as Elsa Hayes in "Elsa & Fred." View more photos

Movie Info

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
Producer
Matthias Ehrenberg, Ricardo Kleinbaum, José Levy, Edward Saxon, Nicolas Veinberg
Screenwriter
Anna Pavignano, Michael Radford, Marcela Guerty, Marcos Carnevale, Lily Ann Martin
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
Runtime
1h 44m
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