Every country has its little quirks that are unique to its culture—traditions or circumstances that foreigners would look upon with puzzlement and would not fully be able to understand without firsthand experience.
One such example is the “viaje,” a French transaction in which an individual buys a property at a very cheap price, but cannot use the property until the seller dies—and commits to paying a monthly fee until said death. In some circumstances, the viaje is a rough deal, as the seller may continue to live for another 30 years, but, sometimes, the buyer gets “lucky,” and the seller dies shortly thereafter. But the concept can be seen as a gamble—and this is exactly what playwright Israel Horovitz had in mind with “My Old Lady,” his stage play-turned-film.
Kevin Kline plays an attention-loving, bankrupt, recovering alcoholic named Mathias Gold—he says his friends call him Jim, but he does not have friends—who has inherited a “viaje” apartment in Paris from his late father. As Mathias’ last hope was to sell the apartment (he is 57 years old with very little to show for it), he is disappointed to find what the “viaje” actually entails. It seems that poor Mathias has inherited his father’s debt.
The seller happens to be a 92-year-old Englishwoman named Madame Mathilde Girard (Maggie Smith), who has lived in the apartment since she was 20 and is in excellent health, thank you very much. Her daughter, Chloe (Kristin Scott Thomas), also lives there and is infuriated to find that Matthias, desperate to pull his life out of a rut, is interested in selling to a Frenchman who would like to tear down the building and turn the whole lot into a hotel. As Chloe tries to save her home and Matthias tries to salvage his life, the past begins to unravel before their eyes, turning this simple story about an apartment into a complex drama that captures what it’s like when your past impinges on your future. As Madame Girard so wisely reflects, “You have life left, Mathias—there is no greater wealth.”
There are a few scenes in Horovitz’s adaptation that don’t translate quite well to the big screen. While Mathias’ personality lends a theatrical tinge to certain scenes, there are moments that lay it on a bit thick. And the ending feels a little forced, like the filmmaker ran out of time to wrap things up, but did anyway.
Because of this, the resolution seems almost jarring. But, overall, the story is engaging, with plenty of emotional twists that artfully reveal the characters’ many layers throughout the film—a nod not only to the well-crafted story, but also to the brilliant acting. Dame Smith convincingly ages herself for the role, presenting a delightful blend of stubborn old-lady charm and blissful ignorance. Kline both shocks and wins your heart with his unstable, almost childlike persona, and Thomas plays her part with refreshingly raw spirit.
“My Old Lady” is a fun film about life and its struggles—something you should be sure to check out. It will be playing this month at Midtown Cinema.
Sammi Leigh Melville is a staff member and film reviewer at Midtown Cinema.
Midtown Cinema October Events
Brunch & a Movie Series
10/5, 11:30 a.m. brunch, 12:30 p.m. movie
“E.T. The Extra Terrestrial”
BYO champagne & Cinema provides the OJ (and Reese’s Pieces!).
Down in Front!
10/10, about 9:30 p.m.
“Fire Maidens of Outer Space”
Our improv trio rips apart the terrible 1956 sci-fi B-movie. BYOB… you’ll need it.
Saturday Morning Cartoons
10/11 & every second Saturday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Halloween-themed classic cartoons!
Mommy & Me Matinees
10/11 & every second Saturday
Stroller parking and babies welcome!
Foreign and Classic Film Series
10/12 6 p.m. and every 2nd Sunday
“The General,” Buster Keaton’s silent action comedy.
Silent & Scary Film Series
Every Sunday in October at 8 p.m. BYOB.
10/5 “Nosferatu” (1922)
10/12 “Phantom of the Opera” (1925)
10/19 “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (1920)
10/26 “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (1920)
“Night of the Living Dead”
10/5, 7:30 p.m.
10/19, 7:30 p.m.
10/28, 7:30 p.m.
“Halloween”
10/17, 9:30 p.m. 3rd in the Burg $3 Movie
10/24, 9:30 p.m.
10/31, 9:30 p.m.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show”
Oct. 31, 8 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.
Let’s do the time warp again!
Moviate Presents
Mike Kuchar, in-person, 10/22, 7:30 p.m.
Filmmaker and actor Mike Kuchar returns to the MC.
Moviate Presents
“Beetlejuice,” Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.
The classic 1988 Tim Burton comedy on 16mm.
National Theatre Live
10/26 and 10/28
The National Theatre presents “Frankenstein,” mature audiences only (contains nudity)
