My Old Lady

My Old Lady

Year: 2014

Runtime: 107 min

Language: English

Director: Israel Horovitz

DramaComedy

A bewildered New Yorker unexpectedly inherits a large apartment in Paris, but discovers it’s already occupied by a lively octogenarian and her devoted daughter. He finds himself entangled in their lives and the apartment's history, uncovering long-held secrets and forming an unlikely connection with the two women. Navigating the complexities of his inheritance, he learns valuable lessons about family, belonging, and the enduring power of human connection.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen My Old Lady yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – My Old Lady (2014)

Explore the full timeline and setting of My Old Lady (2014). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Paris, France

A grand Parisian apartment in a coveted arrondissement sits at the center of the film's conflict. The setting evokes old‑world Parisian life and wealth disparity. The apartment, tied to a lifelong annuity, effectively becomes a character in the story.

🏙️ Paris 🗝️ Viager 🏛️ Historic apartment

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:47

Main Characters – My Old Lady (2014)

Meet the key characters of My Old Lady (2014), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mathilde (Maggie Smith)

An elderly Parisian resident living in the coveted apartment. She remains in excellent health and carries the weight of a long‑standing affair with Jim's father, which fuels much of the story's tension. Her presence uncovers family history and tests loyalties as the past collides with the present.

👵 💰 🧠

Chloé (Kristin Scott Thomas)

Mathilde's daughter, a complex woman entangled in relationships and social expectations. She maintains an affair while negotiating the inheritance and forms a fragile bond with Jim as they confront shared hurts from their past. Her choices reveal resilience and vulnerability under pressure.

👩 💔 🧬

Mathias/Jim (Kevin Kline)

A down-and-out New Yorker who travels to Paris to sell an inherited apartment. He discovers the viager arrangement, realizing he won't own the property until Mathilde dies, and must contend with his own painful family history. His pragmatism clashes with his longing for connection as he forms a fragile bond with Chloé.

👨 💸 🧠

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:47

Major Themes – My Old Lady (2014)

Explore the central themes of My Old Lady (2014), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Family Secrets

Hidden affairs and past choices shape the lives of two generations. The revelation of Mathilde's long‑term affair with Jim's father forces Jim to reevaluate family loyalties and his own identity. The weight of secrets drives the characters' decisions and emotional responses, including how they view forgiveness and reconciliation.

💰 Wealth & Property

The viager system governs ownership and money, turning the apartment into a temporary prize rather than a secure home. Financial pressure pushes Jim to seek cash through the contract and furniture, highlighting power dynamics around who controls a living space. The story uses property and money to explore dependence, leverage, and compromises.

🧩 Identity & Belonging

Jim and Chloé search for a sense of belonging while carrying the weight of parental infidelity and personal trauma. Their shared history invites them to form a bond as they confront their pasts, including childhood memories and attempted suicides. The question of blood relation adds a crucial layer to their decisions about staying in the apartment and building a future together.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:47

Unlock the Full Story of My Old Lady

Don't stop at just watching — explore My Old Lady in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what My Old Lady is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

My Old Lady Summary

Read a complete plot summary of My Old Lady, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

My Old Lady Summary

My Old Lady Timeline

Track the full timeline of My Old Lady with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

My Old Lady Timeline

My Old Lady Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of My Old Lady that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

My Old Lady Spoiler-Free Summary

More About My Old Lady

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about My Old Lady: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About My Old Lady

Similar Movies to My Old Lady

Discover movies like My Old Lady that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.