Elsa & Fred

Elsa & Fred is a wonderful film from director Marcos Carnevale. The story takes place in Spain and is about two people who fall in love when they are older.

Fred (Manuel Alexandre) is a recent widower. His daughter Cuca (the wonderful Blanca Portillo) settles him into his new apartment but is still worried about him. Fred keeps to himself (he has a dog named Bonaparte) until his neighbor Elsa (China Zorilla) offers her friendship. At first Fred is resistant but he eventually gives into Elsa's charms. After a while they fall in love.

Elsa's greatest fantasy is to see the Trevi Fountain in Rome. She remembers it from La Dolce Vita and has a picture of Anita Ekberg on her wall (whom she resembled when she was younger).

This is a marvelous film about the fact that it is never to late to find love. It was very moving and gives one a lot of food for thought. Alexandre and Zorilla are terrific as is Federico Luppi in a small role. It is not easy to see this film on the big screen so if you can't then definitely rent it when it comes out on DVD. You will be happy that you did.