The wittiest moment in Dan Ireland's Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont, based on the British author Elizabeth Taylor's novel, occurs over dinner when a young writer who's befriended the titular elderly widow (Joan Plowright) living in a residential hotel remarks that they seem to be trapped in a Terence Rattigan drama (the scene is indeed reminiscent of Separate Tables—especially since the other elderly patrons all seem to be stereotypes from that play). Unfortunately, this isn't parody: the sweet intergenerational friendship is treated here with undeserving seriousness. Of course, Plowright is so skilled that she manages the right mixture of humor and poignancy throughout, playing off nicely against Rupert Friend as the young man Mrs. Palfrey persuades to impersonate her grandson, and comfortably carrying off a succession of humorous and maudlin moments. And, yes, there's a bittersweet finale illustrating the depth of the affection between Mrs. Palfrey and her young man, with the expected life lessons about family—both real and makeshift. A combination crowd-pleaser and tearjerker, the film provides a showcase for Plowright, who milks the role for all it's worth, cannily holding back where a lesser actress might have taken it over the top. But while viewers susceptible to Hallmark Hall of Fame-style sentimentality may be beguiled, others will find it too manipulative by half. An optional purchase. (F. Swietek)
Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont
Westlake, 108 min., not rated, DVD: $19.98, Dec. 5 Volume 21, Issue 6
Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont
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