Eleanor The Great is the feature-length directorial debut of Scarlett Johansson, and feels an odd title for a film that’s not great, but is very good, yet simply, Eleanor would’ve sufficed. However, with that, it might’ve been confused with June Squibb‘s comedy/drama from last year, Thelma, if they’re both titled after a woman’s first name.
In both cases, it shows Ms Squibb is absolutely at the top of her game at the age of 95, with very acerbic wit on a regular basis, although given when this was filmed, she does point out on occasion, “I’m 94!”
One of her best examples of humour comes when Eleanor, and her best friend, Bessie (Rita Zohar), have been shopping for 16 years in same store, and end up bossing new lad Charlie about, because he can’t be bothered to check for stock of a particular spice that Bessie’s after: “We know yesterday is delivery day. The stock will be in the back. Let me point in that direction, so you don’t get lost(!)”
Unfortunately, after we join them, Bessie soon passes away – it’s always a movie giveaway, when someone goes into hospital and is told, “You’re going to be fine”…
As such, Eleanor moves in with her daughter, and her son – Lisa (Jessica Hecht – The Sitter) and Max (Will Price – After The Hunt), but when signed up for a class full of OAPs trying to sing, she inadvertently diverts to a Holocaust survivors group, run by April (Elaine Bromka), the mum from Uncle Buck.
While, like her character, June Squibb was Jewish by conversion, after marrying her, now, late husband, it’s Eleanor who transgresses, pretending to be Jewish by birth – and a Holocaust survivor; and retells all of Bessie’s old stories as if they’re her own, even leading into being interviewed by aspiring journalist Nina (Erin Kellyman – Twenty Twenty Six), stringing her along as well.
Unfortunately, as great as Ms Squibb is, the plot does seem highly implausible to keep it running for so long, and you do wonder how long before all her house of cards comes crashing down. Yet, in reality, she wouldn’t have built it in the first place.
Still, at least we have some great dialogue, such as when moving in with Lisa and Max, in front of them both, Eleanor infers that her daughter ‘dated’ a lot, adding, “You were called the “Class Mattress!”(!)”
Ah, it’s a parent’s job to embarrass their children.
NOTE: There are no mid- nor post-credits scenes.
Eleanor The Great is in cinemas now, but isn’t yet available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD. However, once announced, it will appear on the New DVD Blu-ray 3D and 4K releases UK list.
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 98 minutes
Release date: December 12th 2025
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 (ARRIRAW (4.6K)
Cinema: Cineworld Didsbury
Rating: 7.5/10
Director: Scarlett Johansson
Producers: Jessamine Burgum, Kara Durrett, Keenan Flynn, Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Lia, Celine Rattray, Trudie Styler
Screenplay: Tory Kamen
Music: Dustin O’Halloran
Cast:
Eleanor: June Squibb
Nina: Erin Kellyman
Roger: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Lisa: Jessica Hecht
Bessie: Rita Zohar
Max: Will Price
Vera: Lauren Klein
Rabbi Cohen: Stephen Singer
Broadway Class Singer: Beth Goodrich
April: Elaine Bromka
Professor Thompson: Ray Anthony Thomas
Charlie: Cole Tristan Murphy
Deli Clerk: Cole Ragsdale
Ivan: Stephen Bradbury
Nurse: TJ Lee
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.