I’ll See You in My Dreams

An elderly widow (Blythe Danner) sees her comfortable single life expand in surprising ways when she strikes up an unlikely friendship with her young pool cleaner (Martin Starr) and a romance with a new neighbor (Sam Elliott). Director Brett Haley and co-writer Marc Basch give this easygoing dramedy an air of knowing it's their ticket to the big time, and they seem determined not to blow it; the movie is sweet and carefully made. Best of all, they give a well-earned showcase to Danner; after 40-plus years of being one of the unsung treasures of the American acting profession, she finally has a movie almost all to herself. She's in just about every shot, and she infuses the whole film with her ageless, down-to-earth beauty. Rhea Perlman, June Squibb and Mary Kay Place add spice as Danner's best friends. J.L.