Eleanor the Great (2025) - Film Review

      Eleanor the Great, 2025

      Directed by Scarlett Johansson.

      Starring June Squib, Erin Kellyman, Jessica Hecht, Rita Zohar, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Will Price.

      SYNOPSIS

      Following a profound loss, humorous and unapologetically challenging Eleanor Morgenstein, 94, unfolds a story that takes on a perilous life of its own. Marvel veteran Scarlett Johansson makes her directorial debut with Eleanor the Great, featuring June Squib in an emotionally charged role as a woman grappling with the death of her closest friend. The film's exploration of grief resonates deeply as Squib and her fellow actors deliver remarkable performances in this touching and humorous narrative.

      Squib portrays Eleanor, an elderly woman who has shared decades of friendship with Bessie, with whom she lived for over ten years after the deaths of their husbands. However, after Bessie's untimely passing, Eleanor relocates from Florida to New York to reside with her daughter and grandson. In her quest to socialize and forge new connections, Eleanor inadvertently finds a support group for Holocaust survivors, where she recounts Bessie’s experiences as if they were her own. When journalism student Nina decides to feature Eleanor for her class project, Eleanor becomes ensnared in a web of minor fabrications involving Nina and her family as she navigates her new existence without Bessie.

      Squib shines as Eleanor, delivering a powerful performance brimming with sharp wit, compassion, and sorrow. With one notable exception discussed below, she commands every scene she inhabits with her charisma and presence. In any other context, one might easily deem someone who poses as a Holocaust survivor as morally reprehensible, but Squib gives Eleanor a relatable charm and a profound sense of sadness that allows audiences to empathize with her despite her choices.

      Erin Kellyman also delivers an exceptional performance as Nina, the young journalism student who befriends Eleanor while dealing with her own grief over the recent loss of her mother. Kellyman effectively balances her character's pain with a sense of humor and a belief in humanity, revealing a more serious side when the weight of her sorrow becomes overwhelming. The chemistry between her and Squib feels genuine and deeply emotional as they explore how loss and grief reshape individuals. Viewers root for their friendship just as passionately as they do for their individual journeys.

      The only performance that momentarily eclipses Squib’s is Rita Zohar's portrayal of Bessie, whose influence resonates throughout the film, despite her limited screen time. After her early demise, Zohar appears intermittently in flashbacks as Eleanor recalls Bessie’s account of escaping the Holocaust, delivering an incredibly poignant and emotional portrayal. The anguish, trauma, and sorrow are palpable, and while Squib's role is pivotal to the film, Zohar’s performance is undoubtedly its foundation.

      One of the most compelling themes explored in Eleanor the Great is how grief can impact individuals from three distinct generational perspectives, as Squib mourns Bessie while Kellyman’s Nina and her father, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, cope with the loss of their mother and wife. Each character responds differently to their grief, with Ejiofor withdrawing emotionally, creating distance between himself and Nina, who seeks to maintain their bond. This reflects the universal truth that grief doesn’t follow a prescribed path, a reality that Johansson captures effectively through her direction and the cast's performances.

      Eleanor the Great is a moving and poignant film, with Squib delivering one of the finest performances of her illustrious career. She drives the narrative, and her chemistry with Kellyman, Zohar, and the rest of the ensemble is charming, touching, and heartfelt. For her first film, Johansson certainly showcases her talent as a director, effectively portraying the varied ways that loss and grief can influence individuals through character introspection and compelling storytelling.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

      Ricky Church – Follow me on Bluesky for more movie news and nerd discussions.