Garbo Talks (1984)

20% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
54% of users liked it
(271 ratings)

This bittersweet comedy is, among many other things, a tour de force for the marvelous Anne Bancroft. The star is cast as Estelle Rolfe, an unconventional divorcee who resides in New York, in close proximity to her grown son Gilbert (Ron Silver) and his wife Lisa (Carrie Fisher). Though his wife… More This bittersweet comedy is, among many other things, a tour de force for the marvelous Anne Bancroft. The star is cast as Estelle Rolfe, an unconventional divorcee who resides in New York, in close proximity to her grown son Gilbert (Ron Silver) and his wife Lisa (Carrie Fisher). Though his wife yearns to move back to her home state of California, Gilbert cannot quite cut the silver cord that binds him to his mother. Upon learning that Estelle is dying, her dutiful son offers to honor her last request to meet the reclusive actress Greta Garbo. The rest of the film plays wonderful variations on this theme, involving such peripheral characters as a gay Garbo fan (Harvey Fierstein), an elderly Shakespearean actress (Hermione Gingold), a "female Joe Papp" director (Denny Dillon), and an ageing papparazzi (Howard Da Silva). Without giving away the ending, it is worth noting that the divine Garbo shows up in the person of playwright/lyricist/ performer Betty Comden. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By: Sidney Lumet
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 12, 1984 Wide
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's a misfire, where seemingly every move Lumet made was a misstep."

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Cast

            Anne Bancroft as Estelle Rolfe

            Ron Silver as Gilbert Rolfe

            Carrie Fisher as Lisa Rolfe

            Catherine Hicks as Jane Mortimer

            Steven Hill as Walter Rolfe

            Howard Da Silva as Angelo Dokakis

            Dorothy Loudon as Sonya Apollinar

            Harvey Fierstein as Bernie Whitlock

            Hermione Gingold as Elizabeth Rennick

            Richard B. Shull as Shepard Plotkin

            Michael Lombard as Mr. Morganelli

            Ed Crowley as Mr. Goldhammer

            Alice Spivak as Claire Rolfe

            Maurice Sterman as Dr. Cohen

            Antonia Rey as Puerto Rican Nurse

            Court Miller as "Romeo and Juliet" Director

            Denny Dillon as Elaine

            Karen Shallo as Harriet

            Adolph Green as Himself

            Betty Comden as Garbo

            Arthur Schlesinger Jr. as Himself

            Stephen Burks as Black Officer

            Roderick Cook as Von Klammer

            Tony di Benedetto as Construction Worker

            Burtt Harris as Construction Worker

            Mary McDonnell as Lady Capulet

            John Ring as Garbo Doorman

            Jose Santana as Sanchez/Orderly

            Nina Zoe as Garbo

            Andrzej Bartkowiak
            
            Harry Madsen as Delivery Man

            Leila Danette as Augusta

            Mervyn Nelson as Movie Shop Owner

            Nadine Darling as Flea Market Saleslady

            Anne Gartlan as Garbo Maid

            Peter Gumeny as Arresting Officer

            Max Alexander as Roger Kellerman
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