'Elizabeth Taylor's exquisitely drawn character study of eccentricity in old age is a sharp and witty portrait of genteel postwar English life facing the changes taking shape in the 60s. Then one day Mrs Palfrey strikes up an unlikely friendship with an impoverished young writer, Ludo, who sees her as inspiration for his novel. Together, upper lips stiffened, they fight off their twin enemies: boredom and the Grim Reaper. Her fellow residents are magnificently eccentric and endlessly curious, living off crumbs of affection and snippets of gossip. On a rainy Sunday in January, the recently widowed Mrs Palfrey arrives at the Claremont Hotel where she will spend her remaining days. 'Jane Austen, Elizabeth Taylor, Elizabath Bowen - soul-sisters all' ANNE TYLER 'An author of great subtlety, great compassion and great depth' - SARAH WATERS A.T.'Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont is, for me, her masterpiece' - Robert McCrum, Guardian, 'The Best 100 Novels' Extras include an excellent commentary with Ireland and producer Zachary Matz, Plowright's acceptance speech for an AARP award for her role in the film, and photo galleries.

The storyline is familiar and simple, with echoes of Tuesdays with Morrie, but the intimacy portrayed by the two lead actors brings surprising layers and emotion to the film, which envelopes the viewer like a cozy shawl. P-and we-learns that real family ties can be chosen, not inherited.

But when she meets young aspiring writer Ludovic (the adorable British actor Rupert Friend), Mrs. As she settles in among the oddball residents of the hotel, her life appears to be heading into a slow, downward decline. P's quick assessment-'Oh, dear'-with a spot-on mix of fleeting disappointment and stiff-upper-lip-itude. When she arrives at the dowdy Claremont Hotel, which is not quite the picture of loveliness it was in the brochure, Plowright delivers Mrs.

Palfrey, a genteel widow who moves to London to start her life anew, and to be less of a burden to her daughter. The talented indie director Dan Ireland (The Whole Wide World, ) brings his deft, intimate touch to a lovely tale of family-and how to build one.

Mrs claremont