My Old Lady (2014) – A Parisian Inheritance Full of Secrets and Redemption
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Director: Israel Horovitz
Starring: Kevin Kline, Maggie Smith, Kristin Scott Thomas
My Old Lady unfolds with a compelling mix of wit and emotional depth, exploring themes of unresolved grief, unexpected inheritance, and the intricate messiness of human connection. Set in Paris, the film follows Mathias Gold (Kevin Kline), a weary and bitter New Yorker who inherits a grand apartment from his estranged father—only to discover it’s occupied under an unusual French housing arrangement known as a “viager.”
The tenant, Mathilde Girard (Maggie Smith), is a sharp and dignified woman in her 90s who reveals that not only does she have the legal right to remain in the apartment until her death, but Mathias must pay her a monthly stipend. Caught in this unorthodox bind, Mathias’s frustration grows—especially when he meets Chloé (Kristin Scott Thomas), Mathilde’s guarded daughter, whose presence adds emotional tension and history to the mix.
As the story progresses, long-buried family secrets emerge—revealing that Mathias’s late father and Mathilde had a decades-long affair. These revelations force Mathias to re-evaluate the pain he has carried all his life and open the door to personal growth and understanding. What starts as a real estate dilemma becomes a heartfelt journey into identity, forgiveness, and letting go.
Kevin Kline brings a delicate balance of bitterness and vulnerability to the role, while Maggie Smith offers her trademark grace and intelligence, delivering some of the film’s most touching moments. Kristin Scott Thomas rounds out the trio with a performance that is both icy and deeply wounded, adding layers of complexity to her character’s guarded demeanor.
Although the film carries its stage-play origins in its pacing and structure, its emotional resonance and standout performances carry it through. Set against the charming yet somber backdrop of Paris, My Old Lady is less about real estate and more about inheritance of the emotional kind.
It’s a quiet, introspective film that touches on the ache of missed opportunities and the healing that can come, even late in life.
What are your thoughts on this heartfelt Parisian tale? Share your opinions below!
