Mrs Palfrey at The Claremont (2005)

Every plot development in this movie, a meditation on life, death, love, poetic inspiration, and family ties, is hackneyed and accordingly totally predictable, but it satisfies just the same. The secret, I think, is the beauty which the cinematographer has wrung out of London, a preposterously gorgeous "retirement hotel," and the faces of the lead and character actors; the civility, respect for diversity, and stoicism inherent in the dialog; and the complete absence of anything like a laugh track to the comedy. Mrs. Palfrey, a London retiree recently widowed (played by Joan Plowright), befriends a good looking, slightly offbeat young man (played by Rupert Friend) who writes. A sensitive chap, he honors her friendship with the respect an older lady deserves. She guides him like the grandson she unfortunately has always had. He meets a girl. She lets him go. Enjoy it.

Thank you Mr. Ireland for not only making a movie that is intelligent, but one that the American ear can understand. I cannot even begin to describe how frustrating it is to try to watch a movie, even American-made, where it's mostly mumbling, or English accents that are difficult to understand. What we have here is a movie for adults, and one that does not make the viewer go HUH? at the end. No special effects are needed, or mad car crashes, or violence to tell the story. Just a good story and script and actors who can actually act and not have to rely on a computer to make the movie a success. Not to say that a younger person would find this movie boring. The story is simple and plausible, and in its simplicity is beauty. An elderly widow moves to London in order to be closer to her family, which like most families, tend to want to forget about their aging relatives and do their best to avoid them as much as possible. The movie makes a wonderful point about how sad and lonely aging can be, and what is particularly sad is the place where Mrs. Palfrey ends up. The scenes in the dining room are some of the best. Why is it that there are assigned tables and that no one takes it upon themselves to sit with someone else, even if they do not speak to one another, so that no one is eating alone? It is a reminder of how lonely life can be. Surrounded by people but lonely, unwanted and unappreciated. Then an accident occurs that brings a young man into Mrs. Palfrey's life, and somehow life seems worth living again and is not so lonely. There is something to look forward to, even if it's just reliving one's memories. What is especially good about this movie is that every actor does a superb job, even if the part is minor. Joan Plowright, as Mrs. Palfrey, is wonderful, as usual. What happens in a lot of movies with an outstanding actor is that the other actors seem to pale in comparison. Not so in this movie. Rupert Friend is perfect as the "adopted" grandson and I hope to see the 2 of them together in other projects.

"Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont" is one of the best movies I have ever seen. This movie made me think about life, about things that should really matter. It truly touched my heart and reminded me of time passing by and also of the surprises fate can bring. The acting was great. You could actually be a part of the whole story and you simply do not feel like just watching it. You live it from the beginning to the very end. I highly recommend this movie as it nicely enriches one's inside and leaves the viewer with some kind of a hope. True love, and friendship exist and there is never too late to experience them. It's good to stop for a while and gather memories just to be sure that they are still there as in the end the pictures we carry in our souls make us happier and make us feel much safer and complete.

A splendid film and a profound experience. A masterpiece of old fashion style, romantic, dramatic, subtle, touching, beautiful, delicate, cruel, mixture of deep emotions and slices of nostalgic revelation of world. French atmosphere and charming acting. Brilliant dialogs and a form of elenchos method. And the art to define the life as magnificent web of facts, gestures and desires.I saw this film as a catharsis exercise. In many forms, for me, this film is a way in my past. An occasion to discover answers at old personal questions, to feel the touch of an old lady which was more than a special presence,nostalgic recollection,best friend or collection of virtues but a piece of sense of life. In same measure, inside the purling of memories, important was the image of great Joan Plowright. Not as last wife of Laurence Olivier, not like an amazing actress but as master of a world nuances, with shadow of mystery and essence of gestures.Baroness Olivier is testimony of splendid Old Vic tradition but, in this film, the importance of creation, in a subtle manner, a circle in acting with Rupert Friend is more than element in chain of "Tea with Mussolini", "I am David", "Avalon" or "101 Dalmatians". It is not only good work but proof of a fascinated art and splendid professionalism. And not for the role of Sasa but for the delicate reflection of Rupert Friend's acting.A splendid film . Romance, drama, nostalgic artistic page,comedy, trip in the respiration of feelings.