An American inherits an apartment in Paris that comes with an unexpected resident.
Israel Horovitz’s first film sounds like a comedy, but alas it’s the springboard for an overwrought drama about death, infidelity and rotten childhoods.
Playing away from the strengths of its experience cast, this is muddled and charmless.
My Old Lady may be a little too neat and tidy, a little sentimental and soft-centred but it is also very, very enjoyable.
The film begins to sag under the weight of its characters’ mounting self-pity.
A soft-centred piece of movie confectionery, not without charm.
The initially sparky drama deflates into a dreary family soap opera.
The emotional pain inherited from one’s parents is the intriguing theme buried beneath a wealth of dreary drama and questionable plotting.
Verdict: Over-theatrical.
It’s solidly predictable and somewhat grating, only partially redeemed by a reliably watchable cast.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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