Elegy (2008)

The story follows a familiar pattern discernible in recent cinema. A woman with an "inner life," and a man, who is quite superficial, makes mistakes, often does not realise that he makes them, and when he does realise he does not have the courage to fix them.

The message of the film is not to shy from experimenting as life is complicated so it is hard to get it right the first time around. Furthermore, if an experiment fails, it can often be fixed. And listen.

With the exception of the Penelope Cruz's character, other characters appear misplaced. In particular, they are not good enough to earn the lives that they lead. Ben Kingsley's character, a professor of literature, is not brilliant enough for a university professor. His conversations do not betray the sophistication that the story ascribes to him. Ditto his friend, the poet. Ditto his long-term lover, perhaps. Such sketchiness is acceptable in Woody Allen's work, where it is a part of the fable. In this film, in contrast, it is a flaw.