Elegy
Metascore
66 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 32
  3. Negative: 1 out of 32
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  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Ruthe Stein
    100
    A richly textured and compelling film.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    100
    There's a poetic irony to the idea that it took a female filmmaker to finally do justice to Philip Roth on screen.
  3. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marjorie Baumgarten
    89
    Smart and self-deprecating story about love and mortality: It’s merely a winter's tale told with a summer's palette.
  4. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    88
    This melancholy mediation on aging and desire hangs on an exquisite performance from Penelope Cruz.
  5. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Claudia Puig
    88
    True to its title, Elegy is a spare, meditative and melancholy film. It is a deeply affecting and profoundly observed saga about love, art, beauty and, especially, mortality.
  6. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    88
    This is an offering for mature viewers thrown out amidst a sea of summer flotsam. The title, Elegy, is perfect for the material. There is much tragedy and truth in what the makers of this movie have brought to the screen.
  7. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: M. E. Russell
    83
    The film is exquisite on every level, full of sadness and emotional surprise.
  8. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: Peter Rainer
    83
    While this may seem like an apologia for randy older men, it doesn't come off that way, and Cruz gives her best performance to date.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 53 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 21
  3. Negative: 3 out of 21
  1. Lyn
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. I'm fond of talky movies like this -- and of Ben Kingsley -- but was distracted by the contrast between his timeworn hedonist and Penelope Cruz's earnest young beauty. You look from his countenance to hers and you think . . . "Um . . . really???" Also disliked the corny developments of the denouement. While all the performances were excellent, I did love the supporting work of Dennis Hopper and Patricia Clarkson. The professor's relationships with those characters actually were more interesting than his obsession with the student with the great face and bod.… Full Review »
  2. Maurice
    8
    Brilliant performances and enough memorable quotes and moments to stimulate conversation long after viewing. This is not a popcorn movie, it's a red wine movie, for those who care for the latter on occasion.… Full Review »
  3. ElizabethK
    10
    What a sad and beautiful film set in pure simplicity. It's such an honest film. Excellent acting by both leads. Finally! A film not only worth seeing, but seeing again. It makes you think, cry, wonder, question who you are and your own life. Now I need to read the book!… Full Review »
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