El Último Amor del Sr. Morgan (2013)

“El Último Amor del Sr. Morgan” (original title: Mr. Morgan’s Last Love) is a 2013 romantic-psychological film directed by Sandra Nettelbeck, starring Michael Caine and Clémence Poésy.

 The film is not a romantic love story in the usual way, but a sad but humane piece about loneliness, friendship, and hope for rebirth in the last days of life. The main character – Mr. Matthew Morgan (played by Michael Caine) – is an old American professor living alone in Paris after the death of his beloved wife. He is completely disoriented, living in memories and pain, to the point of intending to end his life. However, everything changes when he accidentally meets Pauline (Clémence Poésy), a young French girl who is lively, warm and full of energy.

The relationship between them begins naturally, overcoming the boundaries of age and social prejudice, not the usual love between a man and a woman but the deep sympathy between two lonely souls.
The film impresses with its slow but profound rhythm, like a gentle piece of music that requires patience for viewers to feel the inner beauty. The strongest point of the film is Michael Caine's delicate and touching performance. He convincingly portrays the lonely, desperate mood and gradually opens his heart to welcome life again. Clémence Poésy also creates a vibrant image of Pauline, like a ray of light penetrating Mr. Morgan's dark world.

Paris in the film is not a city of noisy romance but a quiet, ancient space, suitable for the character's mood. The images, lights and music of the film are all carefully crafted, creating a quiet but warm atmosphere. That is also part of the reason why viewers can deeply sympathize with the sadness and small rays of hope in the film.