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Elsa & Fred

  • 2014
  • PG-13
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer in Elsa & Fred (2014)
After losing his wife, Fred feels disturbed, confused and alone, so his daughter helps move him into a small apartment where he meets Elsa. From that moment on, everything changes. Elsa bursts into Fred's life like a whirlwind, determined to teach him that the time he has left to live -- be it more or less -- is precious and that he should enjoy it as he pleases.
Play trailer2:16
8 Videos
12 Photos
Feel-Good RomanceScrewball ComedyComedyDramaRomance

A withdrawn senior experiences life in new ways when he begins spending time with the free-spirited woman who lives across the hall.A withdrawn senior experiences life in new ways when he begins spending time with the free-spirited woman who lives across the hall.A withdrawn senior experiences life in new ways when he begins spending time with the free-spirited woman who lives across the hall.

  • Director
    • Michael Radford
  • Writers
    • Marcos Carnevale
    • Marcela Guerty
    • Lily Ann Martin
  • Stars
    • Shirley MacLaine
    • Christopher Plummer
    • Marcia Gay Harden
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    3.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael Radford
    • Writers
      • Marcos Carnevale
      • Marcela Guerty
      • Lily Ann Martin
    • Stars
      • Shirley MacLaine
      • Christopher Plummer
      • Marcia Gay Harden
    • 27User reviews
    • 49Critic reviews
    • 49Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos8

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:16
    Official Trailer
    Elsa & Fred
    Clip 1:30
    Elsa & Fred
    Elsa & Fred
    Clip 1:30
    Elsa & Fred
    Elsa & Fred
    Clip 0:49
    Elsa & Fred
    Elsa & Fred: Two Headlights And A Fender
    Clip 1:16
    Elsa & Fred: Two Headlights And A Fender
    Elsa & Fred: Dodging The Check
    Clip 1:57
    Elsa & Fred: Dodging The Check
    Elsa & Fred: Friendship Or Love
    Clip 1:16
    Elsa & Fred: Friendship Or Love

    Photos11

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    Top cast50

    Edit
    Shirley MacLaine
    Shirley MacLaine
    • Elsa
    Christopher Plummer
    Christopher Plummer
    • Fred
    Marcia Gay Harden
    Marcia Gay Harden
    • Lydia
    Wendell Pierce
    Wendell Pierce
    • Armande
    Jared Gilman
    Jared Gilman
    • Michael
    Erika Alexander
    Erika Alexander
    • Laverne
    Chris Noth
    Chris Noth
    • Jack
    Scott Bakula
    Scott Bakula
    • Raymond
    George Segal
    George Segal
    • John
    Reg Rogers
    Reg Rogers
    • Alec
    James Brolin
    James Brolin
    • Max
    Sam Medina
    Sam Medina
    • Taxi Cab Driver
    Jackie Tuttle
    Jackie Tuttle
    • Receptionist
    Michael Hartson
    • Dance School Director
    Deanna Rashell
    Deanna Rashell
    • Laura
    • (as Deanna Meske)
    McCartney Bisgard
    • Carla
    Osvaldo Ríos
    Osvaldo Ríos
    • Dialysis Doctor
    Benny Jones Sr.
    • Treme Brass Band Snare Drummer
    • Director
      • Michael Radford
    • Writers
      • Marcos Carnevale
      • Marcela Guerty
      • Lily Ann Martin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews27

    6.53.8K
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    Featured reviews

    8sue-06239

    Lovely and romantic

    I enjoy films that show old people still having a life of fun, laughter and romance, and this one does just that.

    Shirley Maclaine and Christopher Plummer are great in this and make a believable couple as the depressed and grumpy Fred and his kooky, fun-loving neighbour Elsa. They are ably supported by a great cast, including the brilliant George Segal. Oh and wow, James Brolin looks really handsome in a small role here, I think he'd have been about 74 when he made this!

    The music is lovely, and Elsa's obsession with the movie La Dolce Vita provides a wonderful, poignant scene towards the end.

    A film to make you smile and feel that, even if you are old, you can still live a good life if you're lucky enough to have someone special.
    9rps-2

    A fantasy for seniors

    A delightful, charming, warm, funny, sad, inspiring and lovable film! We loved it. But then we're seniors. Younger folks just might not "get it." But there is so much that is so good here, not the least of which is the wonderful chemistry between Christopher Plummer and Shirley Maclaine. They are superb to-gether and exhibit a special "something" that goes beyond their formidable individual acting talents. I don't know why it was shot in New Orleans. The city plays no part in the story. Indeed if you were not familiar with the St. Charles streetcar which trundles across the screen repeatedly and needlessly, you might not even know it is New Orleans. But aside from such minor nitpicking on my part, it is a tremendously warm and human movie with two superbly crafted characters played by two brilliant stars. Good entertainment for anybody. Essential entertainment for anybody over 65!
    7sforrester-3

    I nice, gentle love story

    I didn't expect too much of this but came away pleasantly surprised. Maclaine and Plummer had good chemistry and it was a good reminder that life and feelings don't stop with the first grey hair. I thought the relationships between parents and children were realistic as it's almost a role reversal and the children start treating the parents like children. It was a change watching a love story that didn't involve a handsome young man and a beautiful young woman and showed that love is love no matter what age you are when you find it. Although the plot was predictable, it was a nice ride and one I would recommend for a Sunday afternoon.
    7cosmo_tiger

    A movie that was OK and I liked it but if I was 40 years older I probably would be able to relate to this better and love it.

    "Somethings are priceless." Elsa (MacLaine) is an older woman who isn't happy with anyone or anything. When recently widowed Fred (Plummer) moves in next door the two become fast friends. The friendship develops into more and the two find out that it's never too late to find love. Until Elsa's life turns out to not be what Fred expected. The first thing I have to say is that this was a pretty good movie. Plummer and MacLaine have great chemistry but that is to be expected from two legendary actors like them. The fact that those two are in it is the reason that the movie rises above being a cheesy cookie cutter love story. There really aren't any real surprises in this and goes pretty much how you would expect. All that said I am 35 and this movie isn't really geared toward me at all. I'm sure an older crowd will relate to this better and they will probably find it more enjoyable than I did. Overall, a movie that was OK and I liked it but if I was 40 years older I probably would be able to relate to this better and love it. I give it a B.
    9cmn825

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS MOVIE!

    If you are of a certain age and still hopeful about life and love, you will love this movie. Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer are perfectly cast and give wonderful performances, especially Shirley. I will not go into the plot or reveal any spoilers but suffice it say that this is the perfect lazy, glass of wine with cheese and fruit Saturday afternoon movie for those of guys of a certain age.

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    Related interests

    Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan in Love & Basketball (2000)
    Feel-Good Romance
    Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal in What's Up, Doc? (1972)
    Screwball Comedy
    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
    • Trivia
      Elsa & Fred (2014), set in New Orleans, is an English-language remake of the 2005 Spanish-Argentinian film of the same name --- Elsa y Fred (2005). The film was shot on location in New Orleans because of tax incentives, according to Shirley MacLaine.
    • Quotes

      Elsa Hayes: Life is long, and when you've lived so many years, and you do things, and you don't think when you're doing them, that they matter all that much. And then one day you wake up and you realize that you managed quite a bit, and so much so that you can't even remember all of it.

    • Connections
      Alternate-language version of Elsa y Fred (2005)
    • Soundtracks
      Shake It
      Written by James Longford (ASCAP) and Adam Longlands (BMI)

      Performed by James Langford

      Courtesy of Cutting Edge Music (Holdings) Limited

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    FAQ20

    • How long is Elsa & Fred?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 7, 2014 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Mexico
      • Canada
      • Puerto Rico
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Elsa and Fred
    • Filming locations
      • Rome, Lazio, Italy
    • Production companies
      • Cuatro Plus Films
      • Defiant Pictures
      • Creative Andina
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $12,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $285,863
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $65,275
      • Nov 9, 2014
    • Gross worldwide
      • $753,975
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 33m(93 min)
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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