Joan Plowright shines as the title character in this adaptation
of the novel by British writer Elizabeth Taylor. Mrs. Palfrey,
a lonely but independent widow, takes residence in a London hotel that caters
to older clientele. When her gossipy dining room colleagues begin to press her
too far about the grandson who never shows up to visit, Mrs. Palfrey takes advantage
of a chance encounter with Ludo (Rupert Friend), a young aspiring
writer. Ludo is happy to play the role of her grandson, but he also offers her
friendship and finds in her the inspiration for a novel. Their cross-generational
friendship sets a gentle and wry tone for this finely-etched comedy of manners,
as Mrs. Palfrey teaches Ludo something about life (as well as her favorite movie,
Brief Encounter), and in turn Ludo helps her reclaim a little bit of
her own youth. Veteran actors Anna Massey and Robert
Lang deliver strong character performances in this warm and engaging
story. With Zoe Tapper, Georgina Hale, Millicent Martin. Writer: Ruth
Sacks. Director: Dan Ireland. (UK 2005) 108 min.
"A true gem: perhaps the most thoroughly charming, and completely
satisfying, independent film I've seen in the past two or three years."—William
Arnold, Seattle
Post-Intelligencer
Joan Plowright shines as the title character in this adaptation
of the novel by British writer Elizabeth Taylor. Mrs. Palfrey,
a lonely but independent widow, takes residence in a London hotel that caters
to older clientele. When her gossipy dining room colleagues begin to press her
too far about the grandson who never shows up to visit, Mrs. Palfrey takes advantage
of a chance encounter with Ludo (Rupert Friend), a young aspiring
writer. Ludo is happy to play the role of her grandson, but he also offers her
friendship and finds in her the inspiration for a novel. Their cross-generational
friendship sets a gentle and wry tone for this finely-etched comedy of manners,
as Mrs. Palfrey teaches Ludo something about life (as well as her favorite movie,
Brief Encounter), and in turn Ludo helps her reclaim a little bit of
her own youth. Veteran actors Anna Massey and Robert
Lang deliver strong character performances in this warm and engaging
story. With Zoe Tapper, Georgina Hale, Millicent Martin. Writer: Ruth
Sacks. Director: Dan Ireland. (UK 2005) 108 min.
