DEAR ELEANOR is everything a coming-of-age movie should be: charming and well-acted with a beautiful balance of humor and meaningful moments. Directed by Kevin Connolly (ENTOURAGE) each element of DEAR ELEANOR is well throughout and a complete delight.
The colors in DEAR ELEANOR are vivid, giving it the feel of a heightened sense of reality, which it certainly is in some ways, particularly with regard to how events of the time are woven into the storyline. The film takes place from August to November of 1962, similar to the time period of DIRTY DANCING. However, while DIRTY DANCING existed more in a vacuum, DEAR ELEANOR embraces the political and social events of the day.
DEAR ELEANOR is also similar to another fabulous coming-of-age story, BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM. As with BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM in which David Beckham becomes an almost mythical character whose actual existence is a footnote, Eleanor Roosevelt embodies the same qualities. While both people are certainly impressive in their own right, in these films they serve as set ups showcasing a specific set of values.
DEAR ELEANOR stars Liana Liberato, Isbelle Fuhrman (THE HUNGER GAMES), Jessica Alba, Luke Wilson and Josh Lucas.
For more about DEAR ELEANOR’s themes, symbolism and eagle-eye details to watch for, take a look below:
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