Mrs. Palfrey At The Claremont (2005)

Living alone in a retirement hotel, a lonely widow (Joan Plowright) strikes up a relationship with a struggling writer (Rupert Friend), who she passes off as her grandson to the other hotel guests. Based on the novel by Elizabeth Taylor (no, not the actress) and directed by Dan Ireland. Whenever I see the word heartwarming used to describe a film, I know it's a movie I want to avoid. Yet I can't think of a better word to describe this charming and lovely film. It focuses on the marginalization of the aged in our society yet it isn't full of self pity but instead offers the strength that the elderly need to have to survive in a society which ignores them. This is a life affirming film When it's over, you may have shed a few tears but there should be a smile on your face too. The role seems tailor made for Plowright who (I LOVE YOU TO DEATH excepted) rarely got good film roles that allowed her to shine like MRS. CLAREMONT does. There's an appealing score by Stephen Barton. With Anna Massey (excellent), Millicent Martin, Georgina Hale and Robert Lang.