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.
DVD Features:
Region 1
NTSC
Keep Case
Screen Format Note: Anamorphic Widescreen
Audio:
Dolby Digital 2.0 - Spanish
Dolby Digital 5.1 - Spanish
Subtitles - English
Additional Release Material:
Production Interviews: Actors and Producers
Featurette: Behind-the-Scenes
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer
Director of Photography
Juan Carlos Gomez: D.P., DARKBLUEALMOSTBLACK
Review 1:
"ELSA & FRED is both a movie about love and a love letter to movies....Best enjoyed as a sampling of Ms. Zorilla's combustible energy and still dazzling screen presence."
Source: New York Times
06/27/2008
Review 2:
"[I]t is a pleasure to see veteran performers draw upon a lifetime of effortless technique and undiminished talent in a romantic comedy inevitably tinged with an aura of mortality."
Source: Los Angeles Times
07/11/2008
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