Elegy

Elegy presents sex, love and age with a compassionate look by showing how one can become blind to reality. The film reaffirms that the age factor in love is an universal issue. Even for those who are most forward and liberal there'll always be a second thought on taking relationship to the next level after the hook-ups.

David Kepesh (Ben Kingsel) the old New York college professor of literature falls for one of his students, a young Cuban-born, Conseula Castillo (Penelope Cruz). Both know that they have affections for each other. But they have their own problems. David who had lived in fear of a committed institution called marriage ever since his separation from his wife some 20 years ago has just found out that Conseula is not just a good sexual partner but she means a world to him. Conseula, who has had five boyfriends realises that she has just found a man with whom she could spend the rest of her life. So, social expectations and lover's jealousy come in the picture leading to their parting. However, when David finally replies to Conseula's phone messages after years of no contact; he finds out that a problem far serious than his own fear needs to be overcome.

Family sense and the need for togetherness in troubled times speak out loud enough even though the film is a love story of an old man and a young lady.

Director Isabel Coixet handles the age factor in human relationship in a digestible manner. Even the erotic images can't get friendlier than this with its humanistic touch and refreshing script surrounding hypocrisy, lust, family, friendship, distrust and commitment.
Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley is exquisite and Penelope Cruz ever hot and real. It's fun to watch them being happy and sad at the same time.

Dennis Hopper as David's womaniser poet friend George, also springs up humour quite well with his endless rantings on his sexual adventures and advice.

The only drawback is that the film is rather slow which sometimes tends to exert too much. Overall, Elegy is refreshing and a creative take on the need for emotional security.
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English (A)
Cast: Ben Kingsley, Penelope Cruz
Director: Isabel Coixet