Scarlett Johansson’s ‘Eleanor the Great’ Draws Cheers, Tears at Cannes Premiere

The Oscar campaign for Eleanor the Great starts now.

Raucous cheers and quite a few tears greeted the world premiere of Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, which premiered in Cannes‘ Un Certain Regard section on Tuesday.

The Cannes crowd warmly embraced the dramedy, which stars June Squibb at the titular Eleanor Morgenstern (Squibb), a fiercely independent Florida retiree who, after the sudden death of her lifelong best friend, relocates to New York to live with her daughter. A series of events leads her to a young woman, played by Erin Kellyman, suffering from the loss of her mother. The two bond over their shared grief and a desire to reconnect with their Jewish identity. But Eleanor has a secret that threatens to destroy the friendship they have built.

Kellyman and Squibb joined Johansson at Cannes’ Debussy Theatre on Tuesday for the world premiere. Calling it “a dream come true” if a bit “surreal” to premiere her directorial debut in Cannes, Johansson praised Squibb for her “courage” in portraying the fiesty, charming and complicated Eleanor, and called Kellyman’s performance “a revelation. I’m so happy for the world to meet you,” she said to the up-and-coming British talent.

It’s been 10 years since Squibb has been to Cannes. She was last here with Alexander Payne’s Nebraska, a role that earned her an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress. If the reception for Eleanor the Great is any indication, that second nom could be in the mail. The 95-year-old, already enjoying a remarkable late-career renaissance following her breakout turn in Thelma, was greeted with whoops and cheers as the credits rolled.

Speaking to the crowd after the premiere, Johansson said she felt “naked” but hoped the audience would embrace the film’s hopeful message.

“This is [a movie] about Jewish identity, about friendship, but really about forgiveness. Something I think we all need a lot more of nowadays,” she said. “I hope you carry [Eleanor’s] story with you now as I carry it with me.”