Director Isabel Coixet, screenwriter Nicholas Meyer, and an excellent cast that includes Ben Kingsley and Penelope Cruz combine to create a literate, coolly engrossing adaptation of Philip Roth's novella The Dying Animal. David Kepesh (Kingsley), a professor of literature and author of a book on hedonism, is not exactly a poster boy for the quiet domestic life. Divorced from his wife and estranged from his son, David engages in trysts with a businesswoman (Patricia Clarkson), but also sleeps with attractive students, all of which is viewed with bemusement by David's over-the-hill poet friend (Dennis Hopper). After David meets a gorgeous Cuban-American (Cruz), he falls for her completely (although he's unable to make a commitment), and—much to his surprise—suffers from unfounded suspicions and jealousy. Meyer stumbled somewhat with his adaptation of Roth's The Human Stain, but here he nicely captures The Dying Animal's themes, transforming its literary qualities into cinematic terms. Coixet draws sensitive turns from Kingsley and newly-minted Oscar winner Cruz, who is marvelously expressive, especially during a poignant last act twist. Elegy is an intimate, rather mournful film—a mature, small-scaled drama presenting a thoughtful study of an aging man dedicated to selfishly enjoying the pleasures of the flesh even as he grows increasingly anxious about his own mortality. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by screenwriter Nicholas Meyer, “The Poetry of Elegy” featurette (5 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a small but solid extras package for a winning film.] (F. Swietek)
Elegy
Sony, 112 min., R, DVD: $27.98, Mar. 17 Volume 24, Issue 3
Elegy
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