It's often difficult to discuss grief openly, and avoiding such conversations can create a heavy emotional burden. This is particularly true for individuals grappling with profound losses like the death of loved ones or traumatic experiences, such as surviving the Holocaust. Actress Scarlett Johansson makes an impressive directorial debut with this film, which explores these painful human tragedies through a diverse group of characters bearing deep scars. After losing her longtime friend and roommate, Bessie (Rita Zohar), 94-year-old widow Eleanor (June Squibb) returns to New York to live with her daughter, Lisa (Jessica Hecht). Because Lisa works full time, she enrolls Eleanor in a program at the local Jewish Community Center to keep her company. However, Eleanor mistakenly attends a meeting of a Holocaust survivor support group. Eleanor, who grew up in Iowa and did not experience the wartime atrocities that Bessie survived and often recounted, finds herself completely out of place. Feeling welcomed by the group, she struggles with how to react when asked to share her own story of survival. To avoid embarrassment, Eleanor begins recounting one of Bessie’s stories as if it were her own, which is met with appreciation for her supposed candor and courage. A young Jewish journalism student named Nina (Erin Kellyman), who hopes to write a story about the group, becomes particularly interested in Eleanor's tale. Nina, also recently grieving the accidental death of her mother, encourages Eleanor to share her story publicly, leading to unforeseen consequences. Eleanor then faces the challenge of concealing the truth and wonders what will happen if it is revealed, especially with the involvement of Nina’s father, Roger (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a television journalist. While the subject matter might seem unusual for a film narrative, this approach seems deliberate – intended to push viewers beyond their comfort zones when confronting difficult emotions like grief, which are prevalent among the characters. The experience suggests that even uncomfortable situations can offer solace. It raises questions about whether an act of deception is truly a betrayal if it ultimately provides comfort and healing. The film succeeds largely due to the strong performances from the entire cast, with Squibb delivering another remarkable portrayal deserving of recognition, particularly her skillful use of comic relief and wry sarcasm. “Eleanor the Great” has received little attention since its release earlier this year; however, now that it’s available for streaming, hopefully it will find an audience, especially those struggling with grief and seeking a path forward.

Source on TMDB