tomsview A distinguished, divorced, 60-something professor and cultural critic, David Karesh (Ben Kinsgley), who seems to have all his ducks in a row, does something dangerous; he falls in love with a beautiful student 35-years his junior.I didn't know what to expect from this film but there are twists here, which eventually touch deep truths. I must admit "Elegy" had me on the edge of my seat as Ben Kingsley's David Karesh mismanages his affair with the stunning Consuela Castillo (Penelope Cruz), believing it too good to be true and that it won't last; almost unconsciously doing things to make sure it doesn't. All this as she demonstrates her love for him, even wanting him to meet the parents.Ben Kingsley's David Karesh is polished and confident, his celebrity as a critic combined with a cultivated style and a passion for art adds to his charisma.At one point in his seduction of Consuela he shows her a picture of Goya's "The Clothed Maja" (La maja vestida) telling her it looks like her, Of course Goya also did a nude version (La maja desnuda) and by the end of the film Consuela mimics that pose for Karesh in circumstances you don't see coming.Karesh is also having a long running affair with another woman who avoids commitment as much as he does. His friend, George (Dennis Hopper), who he turns to for advice is definitely of the do as I say, not as I do school, and he is estranged from his tightly-buttoned son, Kenneth (Peter Sarsgaard).By the end though, the student becomes the teacher as Consuela imparts important life lessons to the professor, mainly about himself.David Karesh's narration throughout the film is full of painfully gained insights and wisdom, especially on what it means to get old "Old age sneaks up on you, and the next thing you know you are asking yourself why can't an old man act his real age? How is it possible for me to still be involved in the carnal aspects of the human comedy? Because, in my head, nothing's changed"."Elegy" feels a little like we've entered Woody Allen territory with a dash of "Last Tango in Paris", but without the anger. The film builds to a powerful ending where the characters face tough decisions, however we are pretty sure we know what they will do.

SnoopyStyle David Kepesh (Ben Kingsley) is a New York cultural critic. He is a dedicated bachelor with only non-committal carnal relationships. George O'Hearn (Dennis Hopper) is his best friend and Carolyn (Patricia Clarkson) is his sexual hookup. As a criticism professor, he becomes attracted to his student Consuela Castillo (Penélope Cruz). He develops a deeper relationship than he initially expected.These are great actors and I really want to love this. David is a head-scratcher character. I can't really get over his May-December romance and he's the reluctant one. It's not only that I don't empathize with him. I don't like him either. The tension depends on how much one wants them to get together. I simply don't care if he figures it out. If he doesn't, he doesn't deserve her.

geekerr Poorly cast movie Penelope Cruz comes across as a complete airheadShe is so superficial and unauthentic as can be this is Hollywood at its worstTotally self indulgentCruz has no on screen chemistry what so everThis was movie that had some potential but the direction in consort with the shallowness of Crus acting made it a wasteShe can't play a school girl at all it is laughable and a waste of timeHer character is completely affective dull and blandThere is no way the Kingsley character could find her attractive

Red_Identity This was really something, though. The story itself is set up pretty simply, pretty normally and easy to follow, but it's executed in rather different terms. Ben Kingsley is powerful here, delivering all of the notes that are required of him and bringing different shades of depth into the character through little veneers and windows into his mind. Penelope Cruz, as well, does some fabulous work, a turn that would be worthy of countless of nominations, and (seeing as how it came out the same year her all-time great work in Vicky Cristina Barcelona came out( it's rather a shame that she didn't get more traction for this. It's a truly great turn, one that's fused with real sensibility that Cruz may sometimes not get asked to do much.