Eleanor the Great

Excellent movie. It's a tear jerker.

Grief tends to be one of those taboo subjects that many of us are reluctant to talk about, let alone address. But, by failing to do so, we may end up saddling ourselves with a tremendous burden that weighs us down and from which escape can be difficult. That’s especially true for those who’ve experienced devastating losses through such events as the death of loved ones or, even more horrifically, through traumatic experiences, such as being a firsthand witness/survivor of the Holocaust. Those are among the painful human tragedies experienced by a diverse but connected collection of scarred…

“Eleanor” (June Squibb) is having to move back to New York to live with her daughter “Lisa” (Jessica Hecht) who’d far rather she was properly cared for in an home. It’s not that she doesn’t love her mother, it’s more that she lives an hectic life and wants to ensure she is properly looked after. “Eleanor”, on the other hand, has no intention of retiring to a chair in God’s waiting room and is determined to retain as much of her independence as her ninety-four years will allow. “Lisa” had enrolled her in a few community activities and declining the old folks’ Sondheim club, she inadvertently…