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ELEANOR THE GREAT

I really like the film, Eleanor The Great. It has a simple but yet incredibly complex storyline, and conveys emotion in a beautiful way. It highlights different perspectives, and shows multiple sides to one story. I am really touched by this movie, and feel that it's important for us as a society to bring more attention to films like this.

Eleanor The Great follows the life of Eleanor (June Squibb), who is trying to navigate her way through life at its later stages. She recently moved back to New York to be with family, after losing one of her closest friends. While trying to find her place in the big city she calls home, she finds herself recalling old stories with nothing but pure intentions, however her small lies eventually catch up to her, and she must learn the power of honesty and accountability.

Scarlett Johansson's directing style is a notable standout in this film. This movie highlights the often quietness and loneliness in people's lives. Each camera angle brings that feeling to the screen. There are so many moments of stillness, where the audience is focused on one thing. Even, for example, watching Eleanor come back to New York. This is a place that she once called home, and you can really tell how much she's taking it all in. It feels like I'm really seeing New York City through her eyes. Additionally, I enjoy the simplicity of this movie. It isn't a huge blockbuster film, and it doesn't take big expensive sets to make it happen. Everything feels extremely realistic, as if I'm just watching Eleanor's life right beside her. Something else I enjoy is the storyline. This is one of the first movies I've ever watched with an older woman as the main character. Getting to see her perspective on life is so interesting and refreshing. In most films the older characters are often pushed to the side, and seen as someone who has a lot of wisdom. Here, Eleanor is so much more than that. Of course we get her wise advice, but we also get to understand her life. We learn her struggles and dreams, but also what brings her happiness. Hearing her perspective on why she does certain things is fascinating and educational.

The message of Eleanor The Great is that life is valuable, and a reminder to take in everything, even the small things. Please be aware that this film does contain mentions of the Holocaust.

I give Eleanor The Great 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18 plus adults. This film will be released in select theaters starting September 26, 2025.

Mikella G, KIDS FIRST! Film Critics, age 19

Eleanor The Great is the most heartfelt movie I've ever seen. Its story was handled with expert care, and the acting left me in awe.

The story follows Eleanor (June Squibb), a 94-year-old senior citizen, who lives with her best friend Bessie (Rita Zohar), a Holocaust survivor. One day Bessie suffers a heart attack; she survives, but ends up passing shortly afterwards. Filled with grief, Eleanor moves back to Bronx and accidentally joins a Holocaust support group. Under stress and grief, she feels compelled to share Bessie's story as if it was her own. A young journalist named Nina (Erin Kellyman) approaches Eleanor after the meeting and asks her for an interview. That's how Eleanor's double life begins.

Eleanor is a beautiful character, and June Squibb's brilliant acting really brings her to life. Right off the bat, I could sense her grief through the screen. Later, after a major event, when her fighting spirit is gone, the vacuum left behind is so palpable that she does not need to say anything to convey. I will go a step further and say that everyone's performance in this film deserves a round of applause. They all tell this story with an outstanding authenticity that's not typically found. Their emotions are raw, ugly and justified. I also enjoyed the suspense of Eleanor managing two identities. You can feel the tension building as you see how minor inconsistencies snowball into unbearable contradictions that Eleanor must keep up to maintain these two separate worlds. The measured pacing is the cherry on top. It feels real, as if everything is happening in real time. The transitions from Bessie to Eleanor after Bessie passes convey so much emotion and the cuts in the middle of scenes are perfectly placed. No one is interrupted, and instead, I was left wondering what they could have said. Another thing I found interesting is Nina's character being a parallel to Eleanor's. While Eleanor is old, confident and stands her ground, Nina is young and easily influenced. However, they have both lost someone close to them. They understand and share their feelings with each other, which leads to their friendship. Later, when Nina confronts Eleanor, we see that they are not so different after all.

The film's message is that you cannot lie forever, and that telling the truth and admitting your mistakes is much more fulfilling. Note that there are discussions of death, mass genocide and references to explicit activities.

I give Eleanor The Great 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18 plus adults. Eleanor The Great releases in theaters on Friday, September 26, 2025.

By Valerie M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

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In Eleanor The Great, June Squibb brings to vivid life the witty and proudly troublesome 94-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein, who after a devastating loss, tells a tale that takes on a dangerous life of its own. Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut is a comically poignant exploration of how the stories we hear become the stories we tell.