the leading man is my tpye

Strong and Moving!

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

I got around to watching another movie I've had in my queue at Netflix for some time yesterday- "Elsa and Fred" is apparently an English- language remake of the 2005 Argentinian film of the same name. Oscar winners, Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer play our titular characters in a December-December romantic comedy surrounding Elsa's obsession with "the sweet life in Rome", as experienced by Anita Ekberg in the 1961 film "La Dolce Vita". I kept thinking something about this seemed very "deja-vu"-ee to me, then realized MacLaine had actually co-starred with the star of that film, the late Marcello Mastroianni, in the 1993 comedy, "Used People". I've read some user comments that MacLaine may have been a little miscast as Elsa, and I never had any issues with that. Overall, I liked the cast and the feel of the movie, just thought it dragged it's feet a bit-?? And one thing- James Brolin as Scott Bakula's father-??? Eh...neh.... LOL Chris Noth, Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden, and George Segal round out the cast.

Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer.Oh how sadly they fall between lifeless dialogue and inept scenes and a dispiriting depiction of old age.Shirley's wig was uber distracting as it was sooo bad.Direction was sketchy, the interior car scenes out of filmmaking 101.And offensive - scarpering out of a restaurant without paying the $400 owing? Any thought to the waiter who'd have to pay? And a pathological liar like Elsa getting away without challenge with every single fib? The Oscar winning duo were not served well here.For elder love depicted beautifully watch "Amour".

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.

I really like Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer. So, I was pretty surprised to find them starring in "Elsa & Fred". After all, Netflix Streaming lists the two stars as (Gasp!) Marcia Gay Harden and James Brolin. Hello Netflix! James Brolin appears in only TWO scenes. I guess whoever listed "Elsa and Fred" are either Gen X or Gen Y. Otherwise, he or she would realized BOTH Shirley MacLaine AND Christopher Plummer have won Oscars! Well, yes, so has Marcia Gay Harden; but JAMES BROLIN? Anyway, the ignorance of those responsible for Netflix Streaming is the LEAST of the problems with "Elsa & Fred". I do not care if Michael Radford DID win an audience award. Radford's direction is listless; and nearly the entire first half of "Elsa & Fred" plays out almost as a series of unconnected scenes. Despite the great efforts of MacLaine and Plummer, there is simply NO chemistry between them during the first half. However, once Plummer's character "comes out of his shell," the chemistry between him and Shirley MacLaine is quite touching. Unfortunately, by then, it is too late. The narrative builds no tension, even with the cliché "character in jeopardy" subplot. More engaging music would certainly have helped.If you really want to see this type of movie done right, watch "Still Mine," with James Cromwell and Genevieve Bujold. Now, THAT is a "geriatric love story" worth seeing.Oh, I must point out, when MacClaine dresses as "Anita Ekberg," MacClaine proves she is STILL hot at 80. Sadly, I must ALSO point out that James Brolin, at 74, looks WAY too young to be convincing as MacLaine's estranged husband.I give "Elsa & Fred" a "4".