Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut Eleanor The Great premieres to mixed reviews as critics brand it 'wobbly' and 'unconvincing' - though audience react with 'tears and cheers' in five-minute ovation at Cannes Film Festival

Daily Mail​

20-05-2025

Scarlett Johansson 's directorial debut Eleanor The Great has premiered to mixed reviews at Cannes Film Festival.
The Hollywood star's hotly-anticipated film was shown for the first time at a special screening held at the 78th iteration of the star-studded festival on Tuesday afternoon.
The movie, which stars June Squibb in the leading role, was met with great praise at the festival as it received a five-minute standing ovation and prompted 'tears and cheers' from the crowds.
However, critics were less convinced as it received very mixed reviews, with some branding it 'wobbly' and 'unconvincing' while others were more impressed by the 'powerful' and 'touching' release.
Eleanor The Great sees June's character, who converted to Judaism upon marriage, join a Jewish seniors social group, before discovering it is specifically for Holocaust survivors.
Hoping to find companionship, Eleanor tells her friend Bessie's devastating story about her family's time in Auschwitz as if it is her own, before her lie spirals away from her in a very public way.
The film, which Scarlett directed from Tory Kamen's screenplay, was met with a positive reception upon its premiere at Cannes, receiving a five-minute ovation.
Scarlett described her directorial debut premiering at the film festival as a 'dream come true' and 'surreal' as she emotionally soaked up the positive reaction.
Leading star June, 95, 'was greeted with whoops and cheers as the credits rolled', according to The Hollywood Reporter, while other audience members were reduced to tears.
However, critics appeared somewhat underwhelmed by the release as it was met with a notable range of reviews from global publications, including some tough criticism.
The Hollywood Reporter led the charge in branding Scarlett's debut as 'wobbly' and 'unfulfilled' as its critic concluded that the film 'struggled to find its groove' despite a hopeful character-driven plot.
'The film lurches between comic set pieces and more dramatic beats, and while Johansson proves a competent helmer, it's not enough to overcome some dizzying tonal imbalances,' they wrote.
The Playlist was also left divided as it questioned whether viewers 'expected more' from Scarlett following her decades-long career as it described the plot as 'episodic'.
'Considering the lineage of filmmakers Johansson has worked with over her 25-year career, we dared to expect something more?' they asked, before praising June for being the film's saving grace.
ELEANOR THE GREAT: WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING
Variety
'There's no denying that as a character, Eleanor plays, giving Squibb an opportunity to strut her granny-with-an-attitude stuff. But you're always aware that the movie is trying to squeeze a laugh out of you.'
The Hollywood Reporter
'The film lurches between comic set pieces and more dramatic beats, and while Johansson proves a competent helmer, it's not enough to overcome some dizzying tonal imbalances.'
The Playlist
'Considering the lineage of filmmakers Johansson has worked with over her 25-year career, we dared to expect something more?'
The Times: Four stars
'Johansson and her excellent cast nail the big moments and revel in the small ones.'
Deadline
'Scarlett Johansson's wonderful and richly textured feature directorial debut is a small but beautifully realized story of a 94-year-old woman.'
Variety described the release as an 'unconvincing crowd-pleaser' and, though they praised June's performance, it ultimately received a mixed verdict.
'The movie is an awards-season wannabe in every sense,' critic Owen Gleiberman noted, adding that the movie is always 'trying to squeeze a laugh out of you'.
But it wasn't all bad news as the movie also received considerably more positive reviews from a range of other outlets, who praised its 'power' and raw emotion.
Deadline gushed over Scarlett's 'wonderful and richly textured' debut and described Eleanor's story as 'beautifully realized' as they were overcome with emotion.
'There won't be a dry eye in the house for this one,' Pete Hammond wrote.
The Times were won over by Scarlett's debut and critic Ed Potton insisted it hit 'the jackpot combination of being tear-inducing and laugh-out-loud funny'.
Giving it an admirable four-star verdict, he concluded: 'Johansson and her excellent cast nail the big moments and revel in the small ones.'
Eleanor The Great features a star-studded cast including the likes of Bridget Jones' Chiwetel Ejiofor, Willow's Erin Kellyman and Friends star Jessica Hecht.
Scarlett was supported at the premiere by her husband Colin Jost and the couple were seen sharing a kiss in the audience
First-time screenwriter Tory Kamen based the leading character Eleanor on her late grandmother Elinore who passed away, age 99, in 2020.
'This is so beyond anything I'd hoped for this script over the last eight years of writing and rewriting and rewriting it,' Tory previously shared on Instagram.
'I only wish my grandma Elinore were here to see this but famously, she did not read the trades.'