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Elegy (2008)

Director: Isabel Coixet

Time Out rating

Average user rating

6 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Men grow old, but do they really ever grow up? That’s the question posed by this astute adaptation of Philip Roth’s ‘The Dying Animal’, in which Ben Kingsley’s suave professor and all-round cultural guru preys on his female class members, but only after they’ve finished their courses with him so as to avoid harassment suits. While businesswoman Patricia Clarkson offers regular sexual companionship, the latest notch on this divorcee’s bed post is graduate student Penélope Cruz, whose beauty leaves him acting like a jealous teenager… not exactly what she’s expecting from the relationship.

Spanish director Isabel Coixet provides elegant Ivy League settings, but what’s most striking is the way she takes a male-dominated story about unashamedly sexist attitudes and turns it on its head to show textbook intellectual Kingsley undone by his underdeveloped emotional insights. Kingsley’s performance does better by the character’s self-satisfied over-confidence than the pain of unexpected vulnerability (in contrast to a less showy but telling turn from academic colleague Dennis Hopper, piercing in its resignation), yet it’s Cruz who’s the fulcrum of the piece.

Credible as an impressionable student under her tutor’s sway, she’s also a complex, exposed presence prompting both Kingsley (and, by extension, the audience) to look beyond the alluring surface and see the multi-faceted individual within. Overall, though, the film falls just short, due in no small part to unimaginative music selections (the same old Erik Satie and Arvo Pärt piano pieces again), which drain its individuality in favour of mere generic arthouse melancholia.

Author: Trevor Johnston

Time Out London Issue 1981: August 7 - 13, 2008

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User reviews of this film

mel green said...

Posted on Oct 20 2009 21:39 A few lessons to be learnt from this film about love and loss and to not allow life to run through your fingers or let true love escape you.

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GreyziehSvensson-Sweden said...

Posted on Mar 20 2009 18:58 Its a well done movie with its own elegant. Just like other said its a movie for grown ups.It's not only about sex but about realizing the true essence of life. Best movie...you will be inspire and try to squeeze the best essence of it!

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Rich said...

Posted on Sep 22 2008 19:21 Fabulous. I was completely blown away by this film. For my money it's the best film I've seen in 2008. Like previous reviewers have said, a film about grown ups for grown ups. Saw it at the Apollo in Lower Regent St with a fellow audience of 40-60 y/olds who, like me, stayed through the credits at the end. Highly recommended. Looking forward to this one in my Xmas stocking.

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John Doe said...

Posted on Sep 10 2008 17:16 Boring, predictable and full of cliches.
Would be passable as a tv movie but no more.
Don't waste your time and money.

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Dev said...

Posted on Aug 27 2008 19:11 This is a brilliant film for the grown ups. The story and the cast are excllent. Sir Ben and Penelope didnt disappoint.

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Paul C said...

Posted on Aug 10 2008 23:18 I didn't notice the music enough to worry about it, but did enjoy an adult film at a cineplex surrounded by kidult films. This is a film about grown ups for grown ups, so see it if you have had enough of men in capes.

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