I loved this movie. I recently saw another movie about an elderly curmudgeon "A Man Called Otto" with Tom Hanks. I stopped watching it after 20 minutes. It didn't ring true for me. Frank Langella's curmudgeon did. I laughed all the way through this movie. I suspect a person would need to be an elderly disaffected crank themselves to fully appreciate this film. I qualify. As of this writing, I am 8 months away from being 70 years old. I identified greatly with Mr. Langella's character. So unhappy with the changes in the world. Thank goodness, I am not as bitter or as angry as he. I felt sorry for his loneliness and isolation. I have been a fan of Mr. Langella since 1970, the year he starred in "Diary of a Mad Housewfe" and Mel Brook's "The Twelve Chairs". These two movies really showcased his talent and versatility. At 84 or 85 he won't be with us too much longer. He is still amazing. And I've been a fan of Stockard Channing since her 1973 TV movie with Ed Asner "The Girl Most Likely to..." I don't know how to describe Ms. Channing appeal. I have simply always felt it. Especially loved her in "Grease".
As I said in the heading, this movie is not for everyone. But, I would bet that most elderly, intellectually inclined men would enjoy it. "The Vanity of Human Wishes". I love it. And I loved this movie. I would have rated it an 8, but I wanted to counter the low ratings of reviewers who didn't get it.