10 Greatest Films Starring Actresses over 75

I had difficulty with filling ten spots on this list. Since women tend to live longer than men, that’s a pretty good indicator that there are less great roles for older women than there are for older men. A couple of these roles are smaller than I would have liked, but they are all great roles.

10. Harold and Maude (1971) — Ruth Gordon (born 30 October, 1896) was seventy-five where she paired up with Bud Cort in this movie that is simultaneously a dark comedy and a sweet story of love and life.

“A lot of people enjoy being dead. But they are not dead, really. They’re just backing away from life. *Reach* out. Take a *chance*. Get *hurt* even. But play as well as you can. Go team, go! Give me an L. Give me an I. Give me a V. Give me an E. L-I-V-E. LIVE! Otherwise, you got nothing to talk about in the locker room.” — Maude

9. The Help (2011) — Cicely Tyson (born 18 December, 1924) was eighty-seven when she appeared in this story about women confronting the rapid changes of the middle of the twentieth century.

“I didn’t think so, honey. Every day you’re not dead in the ground, when you wake up in the morning, you’re gonna have to make some decisions. Got to ask yourself this question: “Am I gonna believe all them bad things them fools say about me today?” You hear me? “Am I gonna believe all them bad things them fools say about me today? You hear me today?” All right? As for your mama, she didn’t pick her life. It picked her. But you, you’re gonna do something big with yours. You wait and see.” — Constantine Jefferson

8. Amour (2012) — Emmanuelle Riva (born 24 February, 1927) was eighty-five when she made this heartbreaking and very real story of an elderly couple and how their life changes when the wife has a stroke.

“There’s no point in going on living. That’s how it is. I know it can only get worse. Why should I inflict this on us, on you and me?” — Anne

7. The Whales of August (1987) — Lillian Gish and Betty Davis both qualify for this list in this film about two aged and ailing sisters that are vacationing for the sixtieth and probably last time, together, on an island off of the coast of Maine.

“Passion and truth: that’s all we need.” — Sarah Webber

6. The Proposal (2009) — This romcom principally stars Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, but Betty White (born 17 January, 1922) at 87, stole every scene in which she appears.

“Do you prefer Margaret or “Satan’s Mistress”?” — Grandma Annie

5. The Lady in the Van (2015) — Dame Maggie Smith (born 1934) was eighty-one when she starred in this dramedy that has her in a role very different from either the Dowager Countess or Professor McGonagall. The film is based upon a true story of an elderly woman that lived in a van, in a man’s driveway, for fifteen years. Smith also appeared in the stage version back in 1999.

“Yes, I know who he was. He inherited a fortune. His grandfather made laxatives. Naming a nursing home after him is frighteningly apt.” — Jean Horton

4. Driving Miss Daisy (1989) — Jessica Tandy (born 7 June 1909) was eighty when she costarred with Morgan Freeman in this film and won a Best Actress Oscar. The film depicts a twenty-five year period in the life of Miss Daisy and her growing friendship with her chauffeur.

“I taught some of the stupidest children God ever put on the face of this earth and all of them could read well enough to find a name on a tombstone.” — Daisy Werthan

3. Bernie (2011) — Shirley MacLaine (born 24 April, 1934) was seventy-seven the she starred in this quirky film from director Richard Linklater is based upon the true story of Bernie Tiede, a mortician in Carthage, Texas, convicted of killing an elderly widow named Margie Nugent.

“Now you! You’ve got two minutes to explain these accounts to me. Or three minutes from now, I just might get myself another stockbroker.” — Marjorie Nugent

2. Nebraska (2013) — Last week’s post included this film because of Bruce Dern’s performance. This week it recurs thanks to the performance of June Squibb (born 6 November, 1929). June Squibb was eighty-four when she made Nebraska. She was nominated for an Oscar for her performance.

“Here’s Delmer, Woody’s cousin, he was a drunk. One time we were wrestling and he felt me up. Grabbed a handful of boob and Woody was right there and didn’t have a clue, did ya Woody?” — Kate Grant

1. Philomena (2013) — Judi Dench (born 9 December, 1934) was eighty-one when she starred in this funny and sweet film about a disturbing and heartbreaking event. Judi plays an older woman that suddenly decides she needs answers about a tragedy from her youth. As a teenager, she became pregnant and was sent to a convent where she had the child. Against her will, the child was given up for adoption. Steve Coogan plays a journalist she recruits to help her find the child. For more films starring Judi Dench, check out her post: 10 Greatest Films of Dame Judi Dench.

“But I don’t wanna hate people. I don’t wanna be like you. Look at you.” — Philomena