My Old Lady

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My Old Lady

PG-13

2014

1h 47m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

60%

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88 Reviews

43%

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2,500+ Ratings

A New Yorker (Kevin Kline) discovers that the vast Paris apartment he inherited from his estranged father is already occupied by a refined retiree (Maggie Smith) and her protective daughter (Kristin Scott-Thomas).

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Critics Consensus

Although My Old Lady doesn't quite live up to its stars' talents, Kevin Kline and Maggie Smith carry the film capably whenever they're together onscreen.

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David Sims

The Atlantic

Sep 22, 2016

I'd praise Horovitz for going the darker route if My Old Lady wasn't so wrenchingly obvious and Kevin Kline's character wasn't so venal and cruel.

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Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

Nov 23, 2014

2/5

It's solidly predictable and somewhat grating, only partially redeemed by a reliably watchable cast.

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Geoffrey Macnab

Independent (UK)

Nov 21, 2014

2/5

As we learn more about the tormented family backgrounds, broken love affairs and suicide attempts of the protagonists, the film begins to sag under the weight of its characters' mounting self-pity.

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Feb 2, 2021

3/5

What begins as a fish out of water story about real estate and desperation slowly becomes a character study.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Sep 17, 2020

3.5/4.0

Maggie Smith serves up one of her finer performances as of late.

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Stephen A. Russell

The New Daily (Australia)

Aug 26, 2020

4/5

With a fair few unpredictable twists and an avoidance, for the most part, of more overt romantic tropes, My Old Lady is a fascinating chamber piece, even if it is all a bit too rosy at the end after thoroughly raking up the dirt.

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Axle R

@RT87401375 Jul 3, 2026

When Kevin Kline breaks into the operetta with a stranger near the Seine, It's supposed to be some magical epiphany, a moment of redemption, but Kline's character is never resolved, just a lot of phoniness--he is impossibly cruel and precocious and the movie rushes to its FIN. His alcohol driven brutality is not at all what the storyline needed. He was, generally speaking, just a mean-spirited and selfish American who foisted himself on two lovely, unsuspecting women and gave them little to celebrate with his arrival and/or departure. What a waste of the City of Light moments. Paris is such a novel place, yet the film chooses to trap the audience indoors, in darkened, old, shadowy moments. RIP Maggie Smith such a lovely actress. And Kevin Kline is starting to look a lot like John McEnroe in his elder years....it made me sad.

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John U.

@wbbcmt Feb 19, 2026

What a stupid movie!

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Melissa M

@Lisey Feb 19, 2025

Movie moves at a very slow pace. There's a lot of talking and dialogue. But with a cast like Maggie Smith, Kevin Kline, & Kristen Scott Thomas you know the dialogue is going to be far from dull or boring. But there were moments when the movie was lagging. The scenes with Kevin Kline as Mathias Gold & Maggie Smith as Mathilde made the movie worthwhile. And worth watching.

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Rolf G

@RT67223532 Apr 11, 2024

The premise of the Life Lease is OK but story does not hold together well. It tries to deal with the rawness and selfishness of infidelity and the damage it causes while trying to feel life affirming and include a happy ending. With such a great cast there are some watchable moments but they are not enough to save this movie.

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ra t

@RaTeetee Dec 16, 2022

Intriguing story-line. Secrets and lies finally exposed.

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james w

@MrJDW1 Nov 25, 2020

Consistently interesting and entertaining. Enjoyed all three stars, Smith, Klein and Thomas. Great to see Maggie Smith not playing Downton Abbey. It got tiresome or boring with too much back and forth, but it was a originally a play. It was smart and unpredictable.

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Israel Horovitz

Director

Maggie Smith

Mathilde Girard

Kevin Kline

Mathias Gold

Kristin Scott Thomas

Chloé Girard

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Synopsis

A New Yorker (Kevin Kline) discovers that the vast Paris apartment he inherited from his estranged father is already occupied by a refined retiree (Maggie Smith) and her protective daughter (Kristin Scott-Thomas).

Director: Israel Horovitz
Producer: Rachael Horovitz, Gary Foster, Nitsa Benchetrit, David C. Barrot
Screenwriter: Israel Horovitz
Distributor: Cohen Media Group
Production Co: Cohen Media Group, Katsize Films, Deux Chevaux
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Material|Some Sexual References)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 10, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 21, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.0M
Runtime: 1h 47m

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