ELEANOR THE GREAT (Scarlett Johansson, 2025)

OMG, I’ve been wrong to snark on ScarJo all these years. Her first film as director, Eleanor the Great, is great!

For a story like this one the cast is key: June Squibb is amazing and Chiwetel Ejiofor’s supporting role sparkles like a diamond. Honestly, not a weak performance in the bunch. Also, the editing is tight and some of the shots (especially the wide ones) are beautifully composed and lit. Though not necessarily my fave film of the year, it has been a good season for movies and I’ve certainly seen lesser performances win Oscars.

Definitely an impressive first effort for Miss Johansson, she’s found a beautiful tale and told it with wit and heart. Your mileage may vary, but I would consider it worthy of the five minute ovation it received at Cannes.

“I will never forget the audience reaction and June’s reaction to the audience reaction. Maybe my way of processing it, too, is through June. It makes it less personal because it’s hard for me to absorb it all. But something I’ll never forget is holding June in that moment.” – Scarlett Johansson