Lindsey Lowson / 07 March 2025 / Categories: Movie and TV Shows, Movie

Mr. Morgan’s Last Love

Well worth watching - very deep film

I read Boyd Van Horij’s review in the Hollywood Reporter from Locarno Film festival before watching this movie and it didn’t do it anywhere near the justice I think it deserves.

A screenplay adapted from Francoise Dorner’s novel La Douceur Assassine and directed by Sandra Nettlebeck (Helen, mostly Martha) it’s a long film, running time 111 minutes, that doesn’t drag at all.

9 minutes shy of two hours and you’d think I’ll pick something shorter but Michael Caine is his usual epic self, my watching companion compared it to another film Youth, she loved, me not so much so.

Mr. Morgan’s last love tells the tale of a grieving philosophy professor coming to terms, not very well with the loss of his wife Joan. It is set in Paris which makes for some exquisite camera work, both inside and outside the Paris apartment where Mr. Morgan now lives alone.

The Hollywood reporter said this film suits an older audience as it tackles issues of loss, grown up kids and unresolved issues and resentments that build up in every family. The film also looks at the darker side of life, the darker side of our nature and the director finds light, beauty and humour in the deepest and darkest of places.

It’s a clever film in that it changes opinions, stops judgement and slaps you in the face about maybe changing your lens on the world from time to time and looking at things from a different angle or perspective.

Clemence Poesy plays an unlikely love interest/friend for Matthew Morgan, Pauline, a line dancing cha cha teacher who inspite of being alone in life is untainted and open to new experiences and people, something Matthew finds momentarily irresistible.

The film released in 2013, had mixed reviews. Gillian Anderson brilliantly play Karen Matthew’s daughter, inconvenienced but happy to shop by her unexpected visit to Paris and Justin Kirk plays Myles Matthew’s son whose path crosses with Matthew’s friend Pauline only after his father attempts to take his own life.

Although it covers dark subject matter it’s well written, extremely well acted, funny and light in places and beautifully shot so I’d definitely watch again, if only to imagine living for a moment in a magnificent high ceilinged Parisian apartment with Romeo and Juliet balconies and views of the Eiffel Tower.

When would be a good time to watch this film. It would appeal to a mixed crowd of young adults 16 plus through to seniors, men and women.