Killing Eleanor

This film. I almost don't have words, it is so incredibly beautiful. I am in awe. I loved everything about it from the soundtrack to the camera work. Annika and Jenny are purely phenomenal. Annika brought so much depth and life to Natalie. It was simply the most beautiful performance. In addition to this, her writing is INSANE. Wow. Everything about this film is an absolute 10/10 from the storytelling to the casting. Not to mention, Rich is one of the greatest directors we have out there at the moment. Killing Eleanor truly deserves all the praise.

Saw this at a festival and immediately watched it again when it was released. I laughed and cried. It really hit home. I highly recommend, especially if you've struggled with addiction.

I loved this indie film about two complicated, damaged, lonely women who are forced to share the most significant journey of their lives. Having burned bridges and defied norms, they are each alone and find themselves needing a completely unlikeable stranger to depend on. The film goes from dark humor to bright insight, and it brought tears and laughter.

Marks and O'Hara each create full complicated characters and support each other's work perfectly. The rest of the cast is remarkable for its individual and group performances. The family confrontation, the salon introduction, and both AA group scenes were wonderful ensemble performances.

The look and feel is perfectly constructed by director Newey and his exceptional crew.

I highly recommend this film!!

Killing Eleanor is thought-provoking fun entertainment. It was good for what ailed me. I watched it alone and I will be making sure my friends join me next time. It was dark and funny, sometimes whacky, but never became unbelievable. A "sweet" old lady and her self-serving knight in shining armor make some improbable choices and come to some sober realizations --think buddy road trip but along the way the buddies sort out a few of life's toughest problems. The supporting cast was also spot-on.

One week later, just watched it again with two friends. Second time through, still lovely!

This movie is a very interesting one. It has a great premise and some great actors, but I think some of the choices with production and direction just didn't work. I think the intriguing relationship between our two protagonists- a drug addict who can't get her life together and an elderly woman in a lot of pain who wishes to die- just doesn't come together because the film is hindered by a very serious dramatic tone and music that can make some scenes feel quite forced like a soap opera or an after-school special. Because of this overly dramatic tone, there is a serious disconnect that occurs between the viewer and the film that makes these characters hard to relate to or root for despite their very human story.