My Old Lady
My Old Lady

Movie spotlight

My Old Lady

2014
Movie
107 min
English

Mathias Gold is a down-on-his-luck New Yorker who inherits a Parisian apartment from his estranged father. But when he arrives in France to sell the vast domicile, he's shocked to discover a live-in tenant who is not prepared to budge. His apartment is a viager—an ancient French real estate system with complex rules pertaining to its resale—and the feisty Englishwoman Mathilde Girard, who has lived in the apartment with her daughter Chloé for many years, can by contract collect monthly payments from Mathias until her death.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes56%
Metacritic57/100
Google Users72%
Director: Israel HorovitzGenres: Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

An American man inherits an apartment in Paris from his estranged father. Upon arrival, he discovers an elderly woman living there, who, according to French law, is entitled to live in the apartment until her death. As he navigates this unexpected situation and his complicated family history, he finds himself drawn into the lives of the apartment's inhabitants.

Critical Reception

My Old Lady received mixed to positive reviews from critics. While the performances, particularly from Maggie Smith and Kevin Kline, were widely praised, some critics found the plot predictable and the overall tone uneven. Audiences generally responded more favorably, appreciating the charming Parisian setting and the emotional performances.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its strong lead performances, especially Maggie Smith and Kevin Kline.

  • Commended for its charming portrayal of Parisian life.

  • Criticized by some for a predictable plot and a somewhat sentimental tone.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's heartwarming story and the acting talents of its cast. Many enjoyed the emotional journey and the beautiful Parisian backdrop, though some found the narrative to be a bit too straightforward.

Fun Fact

The film marked the directorial debut of Israel Horovitz, a prolific and respected American playwright and screenwriter.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

I wish someone would have left me an apartment in Paris's Marais district. A lively and vibrant area of the city with some gorgeous old architecture. I might not have been so enamoured, however, if I'd been left a ninety-two year old woman ...