Eleanor the Great

Editor's Note: I didn't have much to say about "Eleanor the Great" in review form - luckily, I made another friend at TIFF (or, more accurately, on TikTok!), so everyone, say hi to Bethany MacLachlan! She has a take on 'Eleanor the Great' that I really wanted you guys to hear. Enjoy!

As a longtime fan of Scarlett Johansson, Eleanor the Great was on the top of my must-see list for TIFF.  In her directorial debut Scarlett touches not only on the theme of complicated mother/daughter relationships, but also the many shapes of grief, handling it all with a direct yet sentimental touch. 

June Squibb gives a compelling performance as Eleanor Morgenstein, a feisty woman in her twilight years, whose rebellious nature and quick wit remind me of my own mother. Newly bereft of her best friend of seventy years, Eleanor moves into her daughter’s New York City home to embark on a new life, befriending a 19-year-old student as she searches for community and connection. 

Although sometimes rushed or underdeveloped in places, the story that unfolds remains poignant and charming. Even when we can’t approve of Eleanor’s foibles, we still find ourselves rooting for her. 

I was pleasantly surprised by Erin Kellyman’s portrayal of Nina, having only seen her in Falcon and the Winter Soldier previously - a part that perhaps didn’t give her the room to explore her full range - but I found her to be clever and funny and absolutely enchanting. 

The rest of the ensemble (Jessica Hecht, Lia Lando and Chiwetal Ejiofor) round out the story nicely, serving as counterpoints to the story of loss being told through Eleanor and Nina’s eyes, while Rita Zohar brings the horrors of the holocaust and the trauma of survivorship to life through the character of Bessie. 

Although a drama, Eleanor the Great maintains a levity and lightheartedness throughout the movie, taking the audience from tears of sorrow to tears of laughter. The screening was extremely well received by the audience, concluding in a well-deserved standing ovation for Scarlett and cast. 

Overall, this movie is an excellent depiction of the heartbreak of loneliness as each character navigates their own personal griefs, and ultimately, how comfort and connection can be found in the most unlikely places.