How About You (2007)

67% of critics liked it
(24 reviews)
55% of users liked it
(1,385 ratings)

This Irish comedy focuses on a woman named Ellie, who despite her family reputation as the wild free spirit, is left in charge of her sister Kate's retirement home when Kate is called home to care for their ailing mother. Ellie already has an aversion to responsibility, and she's definitely not… More This Irish comedy focuses on a woman named Ellie, who despite her family reputation as the wild free spirit, is left in charge of her sister Kate's retirement home when Kate is called home to care for their ailing mother. Ellie already has an aversion to responsibility, and she's definitely not prepared for the downright rude "hardcore" residents at Woodlands rest home. Strangely enough, however, Ellie and the people in her care begin to learn from each other, and her unexpected journey doesn't seem like such a terrible burden after all. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Anthony Byrne
Written By: Maeve Binchy, Jean Pasley
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 14, 2008 Wide
On DVD: Apr 21, 2009
Studio: Strand Releasing

Critic Reviews

Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle
While the movie is rather predictable and has a few moments that are just too heartwarming, there are scenes that are both moving and humorous.
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
How About You is based on a Maeve Binchy story about the residents of an Irish retirement home.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
Never underestimate the value of slight but charming flicks like Anthony Bryne's How About You.
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
Anthony Byrne's lazy drama is insulting to just about everyone, including Maeve Binchy, who wrote the short story on which it was based.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
A good scolding and a toke on a joint: that's all it takes to turn the curmudgeonly old folks in How About You into goofy pussycats.
Bob Mondello, NPR
The material is familiar way past the point of cliche, but these folks are thoroughbreds — and they, if not the material, are irresistible.
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
Teeming with tremendous depth of feeling inhabiting these sassy seasoned seniors, and tempered with lifelong wisdom whether on or off screen, that declares in no uncertain terms, get used to it.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
Amiable but slight.
Kam Williams, NewsBlaze
I like Dublin in December, how about you?
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
How four angry, irritated, and frustrated senior citizens in a residential home are introduced to another way of being that proves to be transformative.
Lewis Beale, Film Journal International
The latest in a long line of films featuring elderly folk as amusingly dotty old broads and bastards.
Donald J. Levit, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
Brings together a cast strutting their stuff, not as the dotage of second childhood but in the happiness of being alive at whatever age.
Noel Murray, AV Club
Nothing in How About You is the least bit surprising; the film hits its marks with dreary precision.
Amy Nicholson, Boxoffice Magazine
Redgrave, O'Hara, Ackland, Fricker, and Staunton tear into their parts as though the Academy is still dispensing awards like a gumball machine to any actor who admits that old people can be bastards.
Micah Towery, Slant Magazine
Though the film misses its chance to make a real commentary on our society's treatment of the elderly, as far as Christmas films go, you could do much worse.
Anna King, Time Out New York
Not even Vanessa Redgrave and Imelda Staunton can elicit a gasp out of the wheezing script.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

♥˩ƳИИ &

Cast: Joss Ackland, Hayley Atwell, Orla Brady, Brenda Fricker, Elizabeth Moynihan, Joan O'Hara, Vanessa Redgrave, Imelda Staunton Director: Anthony Byrne Summary: When the manager of a retirement home in the Irish countryside asks her younger sister, Ellie (Hayley Atwell),… More
Cast: Joss Ackland, Hayley Atwell, Orla Brady, Brenda Fricker, Elizabeth Moynihan, Joan O'Hara, Vanessa Redgrave, Imelda Staunton Director: Anthony Byrne Summary: When the manager of a retirement home in the Irish countryside asks her younger sister, Ellie (Hayley Atwell), to run the facility during the holidays, four mischievous residents take advantage of the power vacuum and turn the place upside down. As Ellie learns to take charge, the residents also come to terms with their own troubles. My Thoughts: "I found it to be a charming, quirky, funny little dramedy. Loved the characters and their interactions with each other. It's well acted with some great aged actors. I love old people, especially when their feisty and quirky like this bunch. But near the end it gets very sentimental which was very sweet to watch as they come together and unite as a family. It was a great little film to help pass the time."
Leigh R

Crazy whirlwind but I still liked it...
paul s

very cliche and the "message" just about hits you over the head - but there are moments of pure joy; as when the 4 oldsters toddle to the picture window to see their young "keeper" tell off her jerk boyfriend. There is certainly no new ground broken here, and… More
very cliche and the "message" just about hits you over the head - but there are moments of pure joy; as when the 4 oldsters toddle to the picture window to see their young "keeper" tell off her jerk boyfriend. There is certainly no new ground broken here, and the last third lays it on a bit too thick, but just watching Redgrave channeling Peter O'Toole is amazing - every nuance and twinkle in her eye was EXACTLY what was called for. Just watching a true master makes this film a worthwhile watch. But there is more - a beautiful scene that seems to come right out of a Maxfield Parrish print - very 3d, with overhanging trees framing a gently rolling river - to which a dying "inmate" gets wheeled by our heroine. A wonderful line comes just before this, when the dying woman asks to see the river one more time before she passes; she complains that the in house nurse won't let her go for she'll "catch her death". She smiles wanly and says "I think it's death that's catching me". The final analysis is that this is tried and true story, but by managing to stay within itself for the most part, the humanity comes through easily - that and watching Redgrave weave her spell - makes you want to hoist a gin martini in her honor.
jay n

Some really great actors and beautiful locations but the film is just a trifle, nothing more.
Mike N

Indeed, this film suffocates under cliche and its corpse is peed on by predictability. Likeable turns by Vanessa Redgrave, Joss Ackland, and Imelda Staunton notwithstanding, this movie had very little meat to offer. One positive, I'll grant it, is the ever-precious sense of… More
Indeed, this film suffocates under cliche and its corpse is peed on by predictability. Likeable turns by Vanessa Redgrave, Joss Ackland, and Imelda Staunton notwithstanding, this movie had very little meat to offer. One positive, I'll grant it, is the ever-precious sense of camaraderie that can develop from a motley assortment, and Hayley Atwell, spunking her way out of proper acting, led this group to whiff that nourishing core of 'group likeability.' But undone by the total lack of surprise and a paltry script - as well as not at all buying that all these middle-aged folks know the words to "How About You," I kind of want to leave this movie behind. And unlike Hayley Atwell's trite protag, I don't intend to return.
Erin C

Cute movie :) Adorable story and the cast worked well together.
Sunil J

This movie was pretty simple but quite enjoyable. I love old people that misbehave.