Eleni (1985)

86% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
85% want to see it
(28 ratings)

Based on the autobiographical novel by Nicholas Gage, Eleni traces Gage's search for the truth behind the execution of his Greek mother Eleni. John Malkovich plays Gage (herein referred to only as Nick), a New York Times journalist assigned to cover a border war in Albania. Intimately familiar with… More Based on the autobiographical novel by Nicholas Gage, Eleni traces Gage's search for the truth behind the execution of his Greek mother Eleni. John Malkovich plays Gage (herein referred to only as Nick), a New York Times journalist assigned to cover a border war in Albania. Intimately familiar with his beat--it's where he grew up--Nick periodically flashes back to his childhood, and his memories of his late mother Eleni (Kate Nelligan). Not at all concerned with politics, Eleni goes to extreme lengths to shelter her children from the ravages of civil unrest. For attempting to smuggle her kids out of the country, Eleni is arrested and executed. Back in the present, Nick manages to locate local politico Katis (Oliver Cotton), the man who signed Eleni's death warrant. He wangles his way into Katis' confidence, then prepares to kill the man--but he's in for a surprise, and something of an epiphany. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 15 min.
Directed By: Peter Yates
Written By: Nicholas Gage
Genres: Drama

Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
An extraordinary movie about a heroic Greek woman with an outstanding performance by Kate Nelligan.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

No Featured Audience Ratings Found…

Cast

            Kate Nelligan as Eleni

            John Malkovich as Nick

            Linda Hunt as Katina

            Oliver Cotton as Katis

            Ronald Pickup as Spiro

            Rosalie Crutchley as Grandmother

            Glenne Headly as Joan

            Dimitra Arliss as Ana

            Steve Plytas as Old Christos

            Stefan Gryff as Tasso

            Lisa Jakub as Katis' Granddaughter

            Alison King as Lukas's Wife

            Andrea Laskari as Nikola

            Leon Lissek as Antoni

            Alfred Molina as Young Christos

            Lisa Rose Apramian as Olga

            John Rumney as Lukas

            Aaron Schwartz as Czech Officer

            Anthony Stamboulieh as Minister of Justice

            Vic Tablian as Guerrilla

            Peter Woodthorpe as Grandfather

            Michael Zelniker as Sidney Cohn

            Paul L. Smith
            
            Noam Almaz as Katina's Son

            Patricia Carroll Brown as Katis' Wife

            Maria Calvente as Alexandra

            Michael Chesden as Nationalist on Horse

            Avril Clark as Woman

            John Eastham as Guerrilla

            Christiana Fragou as Ana

            Claudia Gough as Fotini

            Keram Malicki-Sánchez as Nick's Son

            Arlene Mazerolle as New York Secretary

            Miguel Pedregosa as Officer on Horse

            Adrienne Pocock as Nick's Daughter

            Theresa Tora as Katis' Daughter

            Athena Voyatzis as Athens Secretary

            Anhoula Vraka as Glykeria
See full cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started