“Elegy” is a film about intimacy and one man’s inability to allow intimacy into his life. This well acted film tackles some ugly topics of which I have to admit hindered my appreciation for the content of the film. Middle-aged  professor David Kepesh (Ben Kingsley) is a self confessed womanizer who has never grown up. He is feeling his age when he meets and seeks to add to his sexual conquests a beautiful young student Consuela (Penelope Cruz) from his literature class.

The film is well directed with excellent acting provided by the cast. Maybe it is the screenplay adapted from the novel “The Dying Beast” that is depressing to me, or the feeling of misogyny throughout the film or possibly the lack of conscience the characters other than Consuela display. I have to say I had some problems with the film and it left me feeling uncomfortable about its message. It certainly is a well made film and one that will make you question why the characters make the choices they make. If you are up for a challenge this is a good film to view and decide for yourself if the topic of intimacy is shattered or revealed.

2008. Directed by Isabel Coixet. Starring Ben Kingsley, Penelope Cruz, Dennis Hopper, Patricia Clarkson and Peter Sarsgaard.

Rating: