This is a beautiful story about a woman in her seventies and her "adopted" grandson in his twenties, whom she met by accident. I felt myself settle right into my heart while watching this gem. My breathing became soft and steady as I gave myself over to the gracious tenderness of spirit depicted.
The gentle hand of the late director Dan Ireland guides this touching story about a widow, Joan Plowright, who goes to live in a residence hotel in London after her husband dies. The place isn't what she thought at all. She is cultured and dignified. The hotel is quirky and crummy, with some lonely residents who become friends.
Rupert Friend, in his first film role, plays Ludovic, (a writer who earns his living by busking), that helps Mrs. Palfrey when she falls while out on an errand. The two form a genuine connection makes me long for a world where loving kindness is the norm instead of a miracle. Mrs. Palfrey then asks 'Luco' to come to the residence hall and act like he is her grandson, Desmond, because the real Desmond is a dud who hasn't returned his grandmother's calls or bothered to visit.
Plowright plays a nuanced, well layered woman adjusting to her life alone. Friend is lovely and perfect in this role, and when he sings, it sent me right back in time to my twenties when most of the men I dated were musicians who remind me spot on of this character. During the singing scene, Mrs. Palfrey's reaction had me tearing up.
There are a few moments of platitudes in the film that made me slightly cringe, because I don't do platitudes well. I can overlook that bit because overall the film is wonderful.
The gentle hand of the late director Dan Ireland guides this touching story about a widow, Joan Plowright, who goes to live in a residence hotel in London after her husband dies. The place isn't what she thought at all. She is cultured and dignified. The hotel is quirky and crummy, with some lonely residents who become friends.
Rupert Friend, in his first film role, plays Ludovic, (a writer who earns his living by busking), that helps Mrs. Palfrey when she falls while out on an errand. The two form a genuine connection makes me long for a world where loving kindness is the norm instead of a miracle. Mrs. Palfrey then asks 'Luco' to come to the residence hall and act like he is her grandson, Desmond, because the real Desmond is a dud who hasn't returned his grandmother's calls or bothered to visit.
Plowright plays a nuanced, well layered woman adjusting to her life alone. Friend is lovely and perfect in this role, and when he sings, it sent me right back in time to my twenties when most of the men I dated were musicians who remind me spot on of this character. During the singing scene, Mrs. Palfrey's reaction had me tearing up.
There are a few moments of platitudes in the film that made me slightly cringe, because I don't do platitudes well. I can overlook that bit because overall the film is wonderful.