Directed by:
Marcos CarnevaleCinematography:
Juan Carlos GómezCast:
Blanca Portillo, Roberto Carnaghi, Carlos Álvarez-Novoa, Federico Luppi, China Zorrilla, Manuel Alexandre, Julián Villagrán, Manolo Solo, José Ángel Egido (more)Plots(1)
A car crash provokes an unexpected love affair in director Marcos Carnevale's poignant ELSA & FRED. Elsa (China Zorrilla) is a ditzy elderly woman whose life takes an unexpected upswing after she absentmindedly backs into a car belonging to the gregarious Cuca (Blanca Portillo). Cuca has just got her father, Alfredo (Manuel Alexandre), settled in a new apartment following the death of his wife. The mismatched pair of Elsa and Alfredo make for an unlikely coupling--the sprightly Elsa, aged 82, has led a wild and courageous life; the reserved Alfredo, aged 78, lives in constant fear of falling into ill health. But the differences between the two spark some magic, passion, and moments of amusement, and Elsa's infectious energy soon has Alfredo making up for lost time. Carnevale's touching tale draws on some imposing turns from his two leads, whose effortless performances prevent the film from falling into mushy sentimentality. The vibrant humor and genuine moments of pathos that run throughout ELSA & FRED make for compelling viewing, and the director carefully chose gorgeous location shoots in Madrid to provide a stunning backdrop for his key scenes. Elsa's fantasy about recreating the Trevi Fountain scene from Fellini's LA DOLCE VITA is a wonderful addendum to the script, and serves as a useful tool for Carnevale to further demonstrate how dreams can come true, even at such an advanced age. But the main draw here is the chemistry that is subtly worked up by Zorrilla and Alexandre, who turn ELSA & FRED into an emotional and thought-provoking journey into the fragilities--and strengths--of old age. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Blanca Portillo
Spain
Best movies:
Volver (2006)
Broken Embraces (2009)
Goya's Ghosts (2006)
Roberto Carnaghi
Best movies:
Moebius (1996)
Mercano, el marciano (2002)
Elsa & Fred (2005)
Carlos Álvarez-Novoa
Spain
Best movies:
The Ministry of Time (2015) (series)
Alone (1999)
De tu ventana a la mía (2011)
Federico Luppi
Argentina
Best movies:
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Men with Guns (1997)
The Devil's Backbone (2001)
China Zorrilla
Uruguay
Best movies:
Elsa & Fred (2005)
Touch the Sky (2007)
Manuel Alexandre
Spain
Best movies:
Death of a Cyclist (1955)
Welcome Mr. Marshall! (1953)
The Rocket from Calabuch (1956)
Julián Villagrán
Spain
Best movies:
The Ministry of Time (2015) (series)
Noviembre (2003)
Dark Blue Almost Black (2006)
Manolo Solo
Best movies:
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Cell 211 (2009)
The Ministry of Time (2015) (series)
José Ángel Egido
Spain
Best movies:
Aquí no hay quien viva (2003) (series)
The Ministry of Time (2015) (series)
Open Your Eyes (1997)
Gonzalo Urtizberéa
Best movies:
Garage Olimpo (1999)
Elsa & Fred (2005)
Patoruzito: La gran aventura (2006)
Tomás Sáez
Spain
Best movies:
Elsa & Fred (2005)
The Court of the Pharaoh (1985)
The Conspiracy (2008)
Roberto Mosca
Best movies:
Elsa & Fred (2005)
Pilar Valero
Spain
Best movies:
Aquí no hay quien viva (2003) (series)
Elsa & Fred (2005)
Omar Muñoz
Spain
Best movies:
Los serrano (2003) (series)
The Way (2010)
Pellet (2000)
Fanny Gautier
Spain
Best movies:
The Ministry of Time (2015) (series)
Open Your Eyes (1997)
Elsa & Fred (2005)