An elegy is a song or poem for the dead. In Isabel Coixet's film, Elegy, she ponders what makes life worth living. It is a story about love and mortality done beautifully and elegantly. The story hinges upon David Kepesh (Ben Kingsley), a college professor and cerebral celebrity, who, against his will, falls for his student, Consuela Castillo (Penelope Cruz). Now this isn't your typical hot-for-teacher relationship (although it may start off that way). These two people have a genuine connection that permeates through the screen. David has this paranoia of being tied down to anyone and left his wife and child years ago, which his now adult son has never forgiven him for. He is so adamant about having a life of independence that he doesn't realize he might be happy with someone. This is not helped by the fact his best friend, George (Dennis Hopper), is feeding him absurdities about the inevitable failures of his relationship. David seems to think he can keep his feelings at bay with the help of his other lover, Carolyn (Patricia Clarkson), who only pops over every once in a while for casual sex. The dialogue of the film is beautiful with lines such as "when you make love to a woman you get revenge for all the things that defeated you in life". I really recommend this film. Although it may be slow at times, I think the images are beautiful and the progression of the narrative from start to end really makes you wonder who would lament for you.
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