The Accompanist

When nine-year-old Emily is abruptly removed from her loving but dementia-stricken grandfather’s care by a novice social worker - played by a very amusing Aubrey Plaza - she is placed with Sylvia (Susan Sarandon), an eccentric, sharp-tongued 70-year-old foster parent.

Within Sylvia’s cluttered New Jersey home, the two lonely souls form an unlikely, fierce bond. However, as their dreams and surreal visions magically overlap, hidden secrets threaten their fragile new family.

Zach Woods, best known as a comedic actor (The Office, Silicon Valley) brings for his debut as a director an unexpected surreality to the family drama. He beautifully explores the delicate intersection of grief, companionship, and learning to trust again, while offering his actors ample space for physicality and humour in the subtle expression of a broad variety of emotions.

A deeply moving film that highlights, once again, the impressive range of the great Susan Sarandon, who delights us as the unconventional Sylvia.