Elegy - B+

On DVD, Blu-ray, and Netflix Instant viewing

Ben Kingsley is a long-time divorced New York college professor who likes to discuss hot co-eds with his long-time colleague and friend (the Pulitzer Prize winning poetry professor) Dennis Hopper. He occasionally appears on public television to discuss books (a faux interview with Charlie Rose opens the film). A new student (Penelope Cruz) catches Kingsley’s eye and he uses his fame and influence to spark a relationship. But he finds himself in uncharted waters when he falls in love with her . . .

Kingsley continues his late career resurgence (which began with Sexy Beast). He’s charming, intense, and eventually touching when tragedy inevitably strikes. Cruz has grown into quite an accomplished actress. Her character’s arc (at least how Kingsley perceives her) from beautiful and sexy to substantial and authentic matches her career. She reveals her breasts several times during the film, but it’s impossible to look at them the same way at the beginning and the end. Indeed, one man’s journey from shallow, self-absorbed womanizer to honorable, committed gentleman can (and should) be extrapolated to mankind at large. One of the most interesting ideas in the film is that beautiful woman are invisible because you never really see them. You can’t see past the surface to get to the real person.

There are other great lines and insights, many literary discussions, and brushes of high culture (plays, paintings, etc). The music consists of tastefully chosen (and more importantly, rarely heard) compositions from Beethoven, Bach, Vivaldi, etc. The film is based on the 2001 novel by Philip Roth and adapted for the screen by Nicolas Meyer (Star Trek 2, 4, and 6!). The film is centered on a man and his obsessions, but surprisingly directed by a woman. Barcelona native Isabel Coixet has a great eye for slow camera movement and rich cinematography. She repeats image compositions which comments on Kingsley’s stagnant life. There are some nice editing touches that force the viewer to pay attention. Everything from top to bottom is intelligently done, including the supporting performances. Hopper gives his best performance in years and Peter Sarsgaard matches Kingley’s intensity in a few short scenes as his doctor son. You probably have to be at least 30 to begin to appreciate this. And the older you are, the more you’ll probably like it. Elegy is elegant. B+