The career trajectory of actress June Squibb (Summer ‘03) has been fascinating to watch. While having worked in the industry for years, she first became a household name with 2013’s Alexander Payne film Nebraska which earned her numerous award nominations in 2014. Squibb has grown into an actress that will always attract my attention. That especially includes last year’s action comedy (starring Squibb) Thelma. Her new film, Eleanor the Great, promises all of the ingredients needed for success. Thankfully, for the most part, the film delivers.
L-R: Rita Zohar as Bessie and June Squibb as Eleanor in ELEANOR THE GREAT. Photo Credit: Anne Joyce. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
Eleanor the Great follows a 94-year-old woman named Eleanor Morganstein (June Squibb). Certain circumstances befall her which force her to move back to New York City with her daughter and grandson. In forming her new makeshift life, Eleanor strikes up an unlikely friendship with 19-year-old Nina (Erin Kellyman). To say any more about Eleanor the Great would veer into potential spoiler territory. The film has wisely kept much of the central conflict hidden in the marketing. I mention this to say that the core story of the film can be what makes or breaks a viewer’s experience.
L-R: June Squibb as Eleanor and Erin Kellyman as Nina in ELEANOR THE GREAT. Photo Credit: Anne Joyce. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
The film makes a certain narrative choice that audiences will either go with or not. Again, to avoid spoilers, what can be said is that the crux of Eleanor the Great involves a lie being told. It’s the case of audiences potentially asking the question “can’t the characters just have one conversation to resolve everything?” For those who will ask this question, I will just say that this film won’t be for you. It will be easy to predict the outcome, lessening the dramatic heft for some. That said, those audiences willing to go along for the ride will be rewarded with a terrific central performance.
No actor could embody the character of Eleanor like Squibb. She’s equal parts funny, sardonic, and occasionally sad. Simultaneously, she embodies the character with a resounding warmth. This primarily includes the interactions with her friend Bessie (Rita Zohar), crafting a real and genuine feeling relationship. Audiences immediately buy a deep history between the two, making the film’s dramatic heights all the more impactful. Both actresses convey a loving tenderness, making certain choices by Eleanor all the more emotionally involved later on in the film. It’s a tonal tightrope walk for Squibb between drama and comedy, which she gracefully navigates. With a central performance this strong, it makes the supporting performance appear lacking.
Actors like Kellyman (The Green Knight), Chiwetel Ejiofor (The Life of Chuck), and Jessica Hecht (Sideways) are reduced to nothing more than archetypes. This especially involves Kellyman and Ejiofor’s father and daughter dynamic which doesn’t quite have the emotionality as intended. Even with actors of that caliber, there’s simply a spark that seems missing. When Squibb is not on screen, you can severely feel it as a detriment to the film. When she resides on screen with someone like Kellyman, that is when the film absolutely pulsates with heart. It will just leave an audience to pine for more of the two of them as the film progresses.
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Roger in ELEANOR THE GREAT. Photo Credit: Anne Joyce. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
It’s a solid directorial debut for Scarlett Johansson (Jurassic Park Rebirth) with no flashy filmmaking on display and with one very distinct and impressive angle to her direction. Johansson uses the camera in ways that love Squibb as a performer. This includes allowing her to relish certain moments, particularly as the film reaches dramatic crescendo. In those moments, the film fires on every level. When the predictable narrative kicks in, those moments leave a lesser impact. Johansson certainly has skill, but one can only hope her stylistic flair blossoms with her next feature.
L-R: June Squibb as Eleanor and Erin Kellyman as Nina in ELEANOR THE GREAT. Photo Credit: Anne Joyce. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
Eleanor the Great is far from a perfect movie. It’s the type of story that would resolve itself if the characters simply had one conversation. If it was any lesser of a central actress than June Squibb, the movie as a whole would fall apart. Squibb embodies Eleanor with added complexity, making the viewers deeply care about her. That means, no matter the decision, viewers are on her side. Even with some lackluster writing and supporting character depth, June Squibb’s performance makes Eleanor the Great worth seeing.
In theaters September 26th, 2025
For more information, head to the official Eleanor the Great website.
Final Score: 3.5 out of 5.
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Categories: In Theaters, Reviews
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