Elsa & Fred

What can I say? I adored it. Anyone that dislikes sentimentality in movies will hate this - therefore I loved it! The scene in Rome is remarkably beautiful - as are many other moments in this wonderful movie. You kiddies out there who think that Shirley MacLain looks too old and her part should have been recast - screw you. She is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. She has been a heartthrob for me since we were both young. It's great to see her still beautiful (in my eyes anyway) and her terrific acting talents are on display here as well. Christopher Plummer is another huge PLUS in this movie. To watch these great stars on the screen, in parts befitting their, well..advanced ages - and not "younged down" for general audiences who don't understand what getting...mature - is all about - well, I really appreciated it from start to finish. Great supporting cast as well. If you're, let's say, under 50 (I'm well over), and get uncomfortable or bored watching it, put it away for a decade (or two or three) or so and then break it out again. You won't get it now, but you will someday. For those who recognize the names of the stars, who have watched them age through the years, and who have a sense of history in their own lives because you've lived through a lot of stages in your life - you will love this movie. I guarantee it!

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.

I saw this movie a couple years ago as a part of a movie cycle on a channel about old people that try great experiences in old age and I had to see this movie because of its leads (Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer). And it left me a bit surprised.

Fred (the late Christopher Plummer) is a cranky old widowed man who loves to life the way always the same way: sleeping and spending afternoons in front of the TV. After he transfers in a new apartment building there is a woman named Elsa (Shirley MacLaine) who, despite being 80, has a lot of dreams and one in particular: to walk in Rome's Trevi Fountain just like Anita Ekberg did in LA DOLCE VITA. With a bit of imagination she gradually succedds in helping Fred staying out of his apartment more and more and eventually she convinces him to pursue her dream of going in Rome and walking in the Trevi Fountain at night.

I enjoyed this movie very much because the two leads were very unique characters. They were not walking stereotypes but older people who still have dreams and refuse to grow old peacefully. Plummer and MacLaine are terrific here and still in top form and they are supported by few big names: Marcia Gay Harden, George Segal, Wendell Pierce and James Brolin as MacLaine's former husband.

It's quite an enjoyable comedy that has even some very funny moments (like when Elsa wants to learn Fred how to dance and they go to a zumba class... and this was by far the funniest scene in the movie) and I recommend it to all despite is a bit obscure today.

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.

This movie wanted to set a mood and lure us in to the depression of old age while extracting us with the allure of romance. However, the movie just falls short. The mood is never quite right. The writing is sub par, and the acting (other than Shirley Mclain) is equally substandard. Not even Shirley can raise up such a bad movie. The plot was overly predictable, and in general, this one should be skipped. The reason you probably never heard about is that is just isn't good, which is unfortunate, because it had so much potential. Instead watch "Wrestling Earnest Hemmingway" for a much better version of spicing up life among older individuals.