TIFF 2025: Eleanor The Great Review

This will be one of many reviews during this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, to keep up with our latest coverage, click here.

June Squibb is a national treasure, a statement that absolutely no one will argue with. The career of the now 95-year-old actress has seen a resurgence in the later stages of her life. Not only does she bring a captivating presence along with her many talents, she also has a warmth and comfort to her that makes her such a joy to watch. When it comes to Eleanor The Great, other than Squibb, the other noteworthy part of the film is that it serves as the feature directorial debut of actress Scarlett Johansson, who largely needs no introduction. Though certainly well-intentioned, the film attempts to tackle some serious themes, but the way it goes about it is a bit all over the place in terms of tone. While it doesn’t quite come together the way it should, as long as its individual parts resonate with audiences, it won’t matter as much. Bursting at the seams with heart and featuring another standout performance from Squibb, the film is an absolute delight, in spite of its issues, and doesn’t overstay its welcome, running at just under 100-minutes. As a first directorial effort, Johansson shows some promise in a film that is relatively simple and doesn’t ask as much creatively. The writing may be flawed but her experience as an actress gives her an invaluable insight regarding characters and character dynamics that is reflected in the performances.

Eleanor The Great, is centered around an elderly woman named Eleanor Morgenstein (Squibb) who, after suffering the loss of her long time friend and roommate Bessie (Rita Zohar), moves back in with her family, including her daughter Lisa (Jessica Hecht) and grandson Max (Will Price). A temporary stop until she could be put in a home that could give her the care she needs, Eleanor, still grieving her friend whose loss left her lonely and yearning for connection. The consummate troublemaker, she remained full of personality and her decades of life experience made her unafraid to speak her mind, something that caused issues for those around her. However, in a moment of weakness, Eleanor stumbles on a support group for Holocaust survivors where she decided to tell her own story. The problem with that was that it wasn’t her story, but rather Bessie’s. As is often the case, this lie would develop a life of its own, ensnaring a journalism student named Nina (Kellyman). That being said, it was only a matter of time until it would catch up to her and everyone else in her wake. Going in so many directions along the way, compelling discussions about the moral debate about Eleanor and her actions are barely addressed, not developing her enough as a character to present a more well-rounded argument.

In the end, for what the writing lacks, Squibb’s standout performance as Eleanor goes a long way in making up for that. Thanks to her, Eleanor is such an engaging character to watch as it is commendable to see a film built around such a complex character, let alone an elderly one. Squibb proves more than up to the task while directing audiences across a range of emotions. Attempting to balance drama and comedy while dealing with some heavy subject matter, that balance just isn’t quite there. The premise of the film is arguably not the best way to do it.

Eleanor The Great may not be as great as its titular character but a great performance from June Squibb goes a long way in bringing it plenty of heart and warmth.

still courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics/Mongrel Media

If you liked this, please read our other reviews here and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter or Instagram or like us on Facebook.

Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.