Madame Sousatzka (1988)

75% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
57% of users liked it
(293 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

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr. 2 min.
Directed By: John Schlesinger
Written By: Peter Morgan, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Drama

In Theaters: Oct 14, 1988 Wide

Critic Reviews

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.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
An intimate and amusing adaptation of Bernice Rubens' novel.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
As charming and fanciful as it is impossible to pigeonhole.
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.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
One of MacLaine's strongest, most colorful roles
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Enjoyable, well-acted drama.
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
[MacLaine's] funny, clever and wondrous to behold, and she carries Madame Sousatzka to heights that might not readily seem warranted by the script, which is composed of elements that might seem overly familiar.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Cast

            Shirley MacLaine as Mme. Irina Sousatzka

            Navin Chowdhry as Manek Sen

            Peggy Ashcroft as Lady Emily

            Twiggy as Jenny

            Shabana Azmi as Sushila Sen

            Leigh Lawson as Ronnie Blum

            Geoffrey Bayldon as Mr. Cordle

            Lee Montague as Vincent Pick

            Robert Rietty as Leo Milev

            Jeremy Sinden as Woodford

            Roger Hammond as Lefrance

            Christopher Adey as Conductor

            Barry Douglas as Pianist at Portman Hall

            Jean Anderson as Lady with Removal Men

            Charu Bala Chokshi as 1st Punjabi Lady

            Roland Curram as Menswear Salesman

            Peter-Hugo Daly as Roadie

            Vernon Dobtcheff as Music Critic

            David F. Doyle as Street Youth

            Elizabeth Hayes as Piano Student

            Sam Howard as Edward

            Katherine Schlesinger as Piano Student

            Sam Smart as Street Youth

            Andrew St. Clair as Festival Mime Artist

            Humphrey Burton as Festival Announcer

            Carol Gillies as Sousatzka's Mother

            Susan Porrett as Receptionist

            Stephen Webber as School Teacher

            Mohammed Ashiq as Sunil

            Cheryl Miller as Black Schoolgirl

            Greg Ellis
            
See full cast

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