Middle-aged college professor David Kepesh (Ben Kingsley) is a liberated man who is a cultural
critic, respected author, and doesn't engage in long-lasting commitments (he abandoned his wife and son years ago) until a
young student (Penelope cruz) enters his lfie. He thinks the relationship he can end quickly, but it lingers inside him no
matter where it takes him and the choices he makes. The woman loves him with all her heart despite David not wanting to be
tied down. He lives a lonely life with a long-time fling (Patricia Clarkson), a best friend and poet (Dennis Hopper), and
a son that resents him (Peter Sarsgaard).
ELEGY captivates and lingers as you watch it and after it is over. It is a meditation on life and choices we make. David
si afraid to make choices that may transform his lfie for the better and he suffers for it. ELEGY plays like it could happen
in real-life. It doesn't take shortcuts and act like a Hollywood movie.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Screenwriter Nicholas Meyer delivers a dry commentary track that compares the book and screenplay. I found the short
featurette( THE POETRY OF ELEGY) that features interviews with director Isabel Coixet, Ben Kingsley, Penelope Cruz, and Dennis
Hopper to be better.
FINAL ANALYSIS: ELEGY is a powerful film about life and choices that features fantastic performances from Ben Kingsley
and Penelope Cruz.
this DVD Review is (c)3-12-2009 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com
