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Elsa y Fred

  • 2005
  • PG
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
3.7K
YOUR RATING
Manuel Alexandre and China Zorrilla in Elsa y Fred (2005)
ComedyDramaRomance

A love story about two elders who decide to enjoy the little time they have left.A love story about two elders who decide to enjoy the little time they have left.A love story about two elders who decide to enjoy the little time they have left.

  • Director
    • Marcos Carnevale
  • Writers
    • Marcos Carnevale
    • Marcela Guerty
    • Lily Ann Martin
  • Stars
    • Manuel Alexandre
    • China Zorrilla
    • Blanca Portillo
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    3.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Marcos Carnevale
    • Writers
      • Marcos Carnevale
      • Marcela Guerty
      • Lily Ann Martin
    • Stars
      • Manuel Alexandre
      • China Zorrilla
      • Blanca Portillo
    • 22User reviews
    • 26Critic reviews
    • 52Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 9 wins & 7 nominations total

    Photos15

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    Top cast19

    Edit
    Manuel Alexandre
    Manuel Alexandre
    • Fred
    China Zorrilla
    China Zorrilla
    • Elsa
    Blanca Portillo
    Blanca Portillo
    • Cuca
    José Ángel Egido
    José Ángel Egido
    • Paco
    Omar Muñoz
    • Javi
    Roberto Carnaghi
    Roberto Carnaghi
    • Gabriel
    Carlos Álvarez-Nóvoa
    Carlos Álvarez-Nóvoa
    • Juan
    Gonzalo Urtizberéa
    • Alejo
    • (as Gonzalo Urtizberea)
    Fanny Gautier
    • Laura
    Federico Luppi
    Federico Luppi
    • Pablo
    Tomás Sáez
    Tomás Sáez
    • Goyo
    Manolo Solo
    Manolo Solo
    • Médico 2
    Julián Villagrán
    Julián Villagrán
    • Médico 1
    Roberto Mosca
    • Conserje
    Fabrizio Meschini
    • Botones
    Claudia Álvarez
    • Carla
    Pilar Valero
    • Mujer Bar
    Anita Ekberg
    Anita Ekberg
    • Sylvia
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Marcos Carnevale
    • Writers
      • Marcos Carnevale
      • Marcela Guerty
      • Lily Ann Martin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews22

    7.53.6K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    10lgarzam

    Very good One!

    Wow!... maybe the best movie I've seen in the last decade. The story is simple but full of emotions. The main actor is so good, but the old ACTRESS is lovely, amazing, funny and beautiful. No doubt this movie should be considered for the foreign movies awards, they really deserve something! I just hope that it could be translated as well as they mean all the dialogs, because this is a jewel that has to be appreciated as it is. Please, don't waste your time and go to see this wonderful film. Hope you like it as I did. The film magazine is good enough and the locations looks nice and some are fancy. The volume could be better, I just recommend that adjust the volume a little bit higher for seniors who can have a bit problems to hear the sound. This is a story full of love, compassion, emotion, sadness, but first of all, a very good sense of humor, very hard to find in this times. I bet you will love it and more if you're in your late 60's, cause it gives you a new vision of life. Women are always women!
    8Anaheim92807

    Opposites do attract!

    For some reason, this film reminded me of the 1979 film "A Little Romance" except it starred two senior citizens instead of two youngsters. In "A Little Romance" two young kids fall in love and runaway to Venice with the help of and old con artist. The young girl is played by Diane Lane, while the con artist is played by Laurence Olivier.

    I don't know why "Elsa and Fred" took so long for this film to reach the U.S., but I finally saw it in Orange County, California, just last week. It's a warm and touching film largely due to the two main characters. Both of them (Elsa and Fred) are living alone in adjacent Madrid apartments. Fred is withdrawn and still getting used to being a widower. He is a very practical, straight-laced gentleman. In contrast, Elsa lives in a fantasy world conjured up by her dreams of someday wading in the Trevi Fountain in Rome ala Fellini's "La Dolci Vita." She a persistent liar, risk taker and bold adventuress. She gradually draws Fred out of his shell and into her world. Who says that there can't be romance after 70?!

    The two actors who play Elsa and Fred are remarkable. Their dialogues and facial expressions give their characters real depth, tenderness and life. Their years as seniors gradually whither away in the film as they slowly fall in love and become "teenagers" again figuratively speaking. The theme of "Trevi Fountain" runs throughout the film from the beginning during the credits until the very end.

    Yes, Americans can enjoy this foreign film. I certainly did!
    10tfpa100

    A sparkling reaffirmation of humanity and love

    This is one of those jewels of filmdom that Hollywood will seldom or never produce --a shining venue for actors of "a certain age" (and not Clint Eastwood) in a romantic comedy replete with laughs, tears and profound yet light-handed treatments of human nature and national traits. The pace moves without interruption; it lags at no time, a tribute to a superb script and masterful editing. The scenes are remarkable for their realism. The acting is extraordinarily sensitive and on the mark. Watch the body language and facial expressions in funny/sad/ordinary situations. It's almost like being there, eavesdropping and peeping at this wonderful couple as their relationships bobs, weaves, dips and soars. The subtle ethnic jokes are there too ... the Telephone company retiree sporting one of the most ancient family names in Spain ... the Argentine widow (or not) displaying some of the too-clever-by-half sharpness many of her compatriots put to work to get by ... the play on letter of the apartments ("J" in Spanish as in "F" in English), etc., etc. A winner all around, worth seeing again and again. Do not miss this home run of a film.
    10cmmescalona

    Awesome!

    Marcello, te amo! Te amo más de lo que nunca he amado a nadie... Gracias! The fountain's sound vanishes in these last words, as it happened in La Dolce Vita. That love professed and expressed is the central character of the film.

    Beware: you'll find yourself crying and smiling like an idiot throughout this beautiful story.

    Is there anything I'd leave out of it? Not a single word, not a single take, nor a music note. The acting is top notch. I'd rather say "heavyweight". Maybe it is just that I haven't seen such performances in a long time.

    This is a film to open your heart, no matter the age, to a reality few of us like to think about. Prepare yourself for a ride of joy and happiness in a world so full of trouble.
    10pilur007

    It softens the heart of anyone

    This movie is absolutely heart warming. Im only 19, most people my age don't give a damn about these type of movies, but a lot of my friends have seen it and have gone back not only 2 twice, but 4 times to watch it again.My dad, who is this huge motorcycle rider with tattoos and long hair cried and has seen it 5 times and his looking for an excuse to see it again...yes, its that good. My mom dragged me to see it, i got to admit i didn't want too. My thoughts were "here comes another boring movie", i was totally wrong about it! I cried like an idiot and smiled, a person said in another comment people would, he or she was right. Its a beautiful movie. Elsa is so funny and Fred is just so sweet. Guys should learn from him lol i gave it a 10, it deserves it.

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Connections
      Alternate-language version of Elsa & Fred (2014)
    • Soundtracks
      Minueto en Sol Mayor
      From the "Album of Ana Magdalena Bach"

      Written by Johann Sebastian Bach

      Performed by China Zorrilla (Piano)

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Elsa & Fred?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 28, 2005 (Argentina)
    • Countries of origin
      • Argentina
      • Spain
    • Official site
      • Official site (Spain)
    • Languages
      • Spanish
      • Italian
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Elsa & Fred
    • Filming locations
      • Buenos Aires, Argentina
    • Production companies
      • Shazam
      • MC Millecento
      • Tesela Producciones Cinematográficas
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $189,024
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $10,246
      • Jun 29, 2008
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,994,087
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 48m(108 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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