Madame Sousatzka (1988)
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75% of critics liked it
(16 reviews) -
55% of users liked it
(316 ratings)
Shirley MacLaine is Madame Sousatzka, an aging piano instructor of Russian extraction. Entrenched in a dilapidated London rooming house, the Madame gives lessons only to the most gifted. She does not stop at mere instruction; Sousatzka insists that her pupils conduct their lives in the same genteel,… More Shirley MacLaine is Madame Sousatzka, an aging piano instructor of Russian extraction. Entrenched in a dilapidated London rooming house, the Madame gives lessons only to the most gifted. She does not stop at mere instruction; Sousatzka insists that her pupils conduct their lives in the same genteel, cultured manner in which she was raised. Her prize student at the moment is an East Indian teenage boy (Navin Chowdhry), who forms a strong and loving bond with the old woman. Director John Schlesinger occasionally cuts away from the Madame and her pupil to allow comic space for the other tenants in Ashcroft's building, including an erstwhile songstress (Twiggy) and a gay osteopath (Geoffrey Baydlon). Navim Chowdhry's mother is played by Shabana Azmi, an important star of Indian films. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- John Schlesinger
- Written By
- Peter Morgan, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
- Genres
- Musical & Performing Arts, Drama
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Oct 14, 1988 Wide
- Studio
- Universal Studios
Critic Reviews
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
It's as affectionate, big-hearted and creaky as any film that ever graced Radio City Music Hall, with leisureliness and dime-store philosophizing to match.
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Rita Kempley, Washington Post
An intimate and amusing adaptation of Bernice Rubens' novel.
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
As charming and fanciful as it is impossible to pigeonhole.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
An extraordinary movie that loves music and loves the people it is about, and has the patience to do justice to both.
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James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
One of MacLaine's strongest, most colorful roles
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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Shirley MacLaine
as Mme. Irina Sousatzka
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Navin Chowdhry
as Manek Sen
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Peggy Ashcroft
as Lady Emily
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Twiggy
as Jenny
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Shabana Azmi
as Sushila Sen
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Leigh Lawson
as Ronnie Blum
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Geoffrey Bayldon
as Mr. Cordle
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Lee Montague
as Vincent Pick
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Robert Rietty
as Leo Milev
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Jeremy Sinden
as Woodford
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Roger Hammond
as Lefrance
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Christopher Adey
as Conductor
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Barry Douglas
as Pianist at Portman Hall
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Jean Anderson
as Lady with Removal Men
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Charu Bala Chokshi
as 1st Punjabi Lady
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Roland Curram
as Menswear Salesman
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Peter-Hugo Daly
as Roadie
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Vernon Dobtcheff
as Music Critic
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David F. Doyle
as Street Youth
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Elizabeth Hayes
as Piano Student
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Sam Howard
as Edward
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Katherine Schlesinger
as Piano Student
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Sam Smart
as Street Youth
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Andrew St. Clair
as Festival Mime Artist
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Humphrey Burton
as Festival Announcer
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Carol Gillies
as Sousatzka's Mother
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Susan Porrett
as Receptionist
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Stephen Webber
as School Teacher
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Mohammed Ashiq
as Sunil
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Cheryl Miller
as Black Schoolgirl
- Greg Ellis
