gremma Mrs. Palfrey (Joan Plowright) plays and widow who has chosen independence over life living with family and feeling an inconvenient. She moves to London to a Retirement Hotel, there she meets several "characters" no of whom she finds similar to herself. So she experiences a different type of loneliness, one that leaves her with the loving memories of her husband. Not fitting into the flow of the hotel guests she tries to contact her only grandson who also lives in London, but receives no reply to her attempts. She then writes, what she hopes, is a letter that does not sound desperate, to her daughter about the complete absence of her grandson. Upon leaving the hotel to mail the letter she is asked by one of the hotel guests to pick up a book being held for her at the library. On her way back she happens to have a slip and fall on the sidewalk which, unknown to her, is in front the flat of a young man (Rupert Friend) who runs out to render aid. He is a charming young man who supplies first aide and a cup of tea before putting her into a taxi to go home.Mrs. Palfrey upon returning to the hotel is plagued by curious questions from the guests as why she was gone for so long. As Mrs. Plafrey goes about to try and explain, it is taken for granted by the guests that she was with her grandson, which she does not deny as they all know she has been trying to arrange to see him. Now she is in too deep to get out and simply goes along with the story. She being the lady she is wishes to thank "Ludy" for his kindness anyway uses this opportunity to inform him of the "story" brewed up by the hotel guests and invites him to dine with her at the hotel. She so wants a grandson to show off in front of the guests anyway. Ludy accepts her invitation and to go along with the story to entertain the guests and make Mrs. Palfrey happy. I believe he secretly does not understand how any family could ignore this wonderful lady in the first place.With this basis the play goes on in wonderful form. Mrs. Palfrey and Ludy become special friends. Ludy whose own relationship with his mother has slipped and Mrs. Palfrey who has no contact with her family so they adopt each other as family. Ludy looking for answers to life finds many of them from Mrs. Palfrey; and Mrs. Palfrey finds a way to relive her wonderful days of being in love. It is the perfect symbiotic relationship. Mrs. Palfrey gets to go to the happy past she misses and remember the happy times with her husband; and Ludy gets to see what he didn't know or understand about love.The performances are perfect, the movie moves very well, never slowing or stumbling, both lives are enriched by the friendship both enjoying the deception.I have no idea why this movie never made it to the big screen or why it did not receive more attention. Rupert Friend is indeed a find, a wonderful actor who is also very easy on the eyes. Nothing need be said about Joan Plowright, she is a legend and has already shown that she can easily play any character, and very well.

Neil Turner This film has everything - unique locations - lovable, quirky characters - a heartfelt story - honest, understated directing - superior acting.Mrs. Palfrey is an elderly lady who decides to spend some time in a residence hotel in London. There she leads a pleasant but lonely life looking back upon her life and memories of her deceased husband - her one true love. She has a grandson in London, but he doesn't even pay the courtesy of returning his grandmother's phone calls.One day, Mrs. Palfrey falls on the sidewalk outside the apartment of a young man, Ludovic Meyer, who immediately comes to her rescue. He is a handsome, charming failed writer who has recently been abandoned by his girlfriend because he won't follow a more practical lifestyle.There is almost an immediate bond between Mrs. Palfrey and Ludovic. To her, Ludovic is a substitute for her absent grandson and, more importantly, a reminder of her late husband. To him, Mrs. Palfrey is an intelligent woman who understands his art and his struggle for his art and, more importantly, a substitute for an unusual, distant mother. They share each other's memories and dreams.Surrounding the two main characters is a plethora of personalities in the supporting characters - most of whom are other residents at the Claremont. All of the actors in the film create intriguing, unforgettable people, but Joan Plowright and Rupert Friend as the leads are extraordinary.This little film is a joy to watch and a very important reminder of the need and necessity for true and supporting connections between human beings of all ages.

Al Rodbell My wife and I are in our sixties, on the cusp of the people who lived in the Claremont. Memories dim, connections become tenuous, and the good moments are all the more precious. As we watched it at home in our den, just the two of us together, without a word to each other, we realized our good fortune to have each other, to share experiences such as this. This film was inspired, yet true to the reality of those at the two poles of adulthood; Mrs. Palefry with her memories, and Ludovic, uncertain whether life is an insurmountable challenge or a delightful complexity to be unraveled and shared through his writing.While meeting "cute" could be a cinematic cliché, the genuineness of the characters immediately dispelled that thought, mostly because we cared about these people from the beginning. Every person who appeared in the film, from the forlorn doorman, the waitress, the hotel residents, all were people with real lives, whom we just didn't get quite enough time to get to know better.The scene where the three residents spontaneously joined in singing of "Autumnal Romance," took the risk of turning this serious film into a parody of a musical. It was a risk wisely taken, since those musicals are abstractions of human spirit that is quite real.Ludivic's singing the words, "For all we know," but to a different melody, was a stroke of brilliance, as it focused on the poetry, the touching mystery of these lyrics, disconnected from the enchanting music.If life is, as the song suggests, "only a dream," an ephemeral vivid simulacrum of life, usually lost upon awakening; this film managed to give this singular dream a permanence that will be treasured by young and old alike.

Mortisha Deluxe "Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont" is one of the best movies I have ever seen. This movie made me think about life, about things that should really matter. It truly touched my heart and reminded me of time passing by and also of the surprises fate can bring. The acting was great. You could actually be a part of the whole story and you simply do not feel like just watching it. You live it from the beginning to the very end. I highly recommend this movie as it nicely enriches one's inside and leaves the viewer with some kind of a hope. True love, and friendship exist and there is never too late to experience them. It's good to stop for a while and gather memories just to be sure that they are still there as in the end the pictures we carry in our souls make us happier and make us feel much safer and complete.