My Old Lady

Mathias Gold, a down-and-out New Yorker, arrives in Paris intent on selling an apartment inherited from his father. The old female occupant is immoveable due to the French law viager; he won’t get possession until she dies, and in the meantime has to support her.

What a good cast, and all of them in fine form. The frail but formidable Maggie Smith is Mathilde Girard, the title role. Continuing her alliance Francaise, Kristin Scott Thomas is Chloe, the daughter; and Wild Wild West is a faux pas Kevin Kline should be forgiven for due to his believable, natural performance here.

Enjoyable too to see character actor Dominique Pinon (Delicatessen and City of Lost Children) very much alive – despite malicious internet rumours.

The dialogue-heavy script that director Israel Horovitz has adapted from his own play is a slight weakness – but when the story is so involving, who cares? (MMu)

3.5/5 stars

Written by Michael Muir