Elsa is a mature Argentinian woman who lives in Madrid by herself on her flat. She has two sons, one married and another one an artist. Both of them live independently. Elsa is full of life and because she is ill she tries to make the most of every minute. She has a very optimistic outlook of life and is the sort of person who sees the glass as 'half full' instead of 'half empty'. On the same building and in a different flat moves in Fred, an elderly man whose wife died seven months ago. Due to a minor incident with the car of Fred's daughter, Elsa gets to know her new neighbour and soon develops a very tender love affair amongst these two. It has been said that Elsa had some similarities with Anita Ekberg and she always dreamt of going to La Fontana Trevi in Rome to recreate the famous scene from the 1960s film La Dolce Vita by Federico Fellini. But would her wish come true? This is a very funny and, at the same time, sad and emotional story. It is not often we see a romantic film where its protagonists are over 70 years old. This film was created with sophisticated taste and the music that accompanies each scene adds a great and melancholic atmosphere. China Zorrilla's performance is extraordinary and at its best in this film. She is that type of actress that touches the audience emotionally with her mannerisms, body language and technique.I remember watching a TV series with her and Marilina Ross and Arnaldo Andre(Piel Naranja) in the 1970s, where China's catching phrase was 'Mamita knows, Silhueta the Lujo' and since then she became one of my favourites actress of all times. Also commendable are the performances of the rest of the cast and particularly touching that of Manuel Alexandre. Marcos Carnevale, writer and director, has produced a masterpiece that everyone with emotions no doubt would drop a tear or two when watching his film. Highly recommended! I thoroughly enjoyed it (that is the reason why I am writing this review) and hope you will enjoy watching it too.
Review of Elsa y Fred
