Chatting With June Squibb at Cannes About Matzo-Ball Soup, Men, and Lying

by

In 2013, June Squibb made her debut at Cannes with Alexander Payne’s movie “Nebraska,” receiving an Oscar nomination for portraying Bruce Dern’s spirited wife. This year, she returns to the festival as the lead actor in Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, “Eleanor the Great.” At 95, Squibb assumes her second leading role following last year’s “Thelma.” In this film, she plays Eleanor Morgenstein, a lively Jewish widow residing with her Holocaust-survivor best friend Bessie (Rita Zohar) in Florida. Sharing a room and sleeping in identical twin beds, they spend their days searching for the perfect pickle brand or basking on the boardwalk. However, when Bessie dies unexpectedly at the start of the movie, Eleanor finds herself grappling with an existential dilemma – who is she without her lifelong friend of 70 years?

Eleanor chooses to return to New York City and reside with her somewhat overwhelmed daughter (Jessica Hecht). One day, by chance, Eleanor attends a Holocaust survivors’ meeting at the JCC, where, taken aback and feeling lonely, she shares Bessie’s story as if it were her own. In attendance is Nina (Erin Kellyman), an NYU journalism student who wishes to interview Eleanor for a class assignment. The two develop a bond, with Nina urging Eleanor to continue recounting her harrowing experience as a means of healing. As events spiral out of control, Judy Greer delivers another stellar performance as Eleanor, skillfully portraying her character’s journey through a mix of poignancy, humor, and chaos, as she adapts to an escalating series of unusual circumstances.

A few days post the movie’s debut, I shared a meal with Squibb in her hotel suite, where we discussed the film, her journey into Judaism, her romantic affairs, and the delightful topic of matzo-ball soup.

Have you been to Cannes before? If so, can you share some memories from your first visit? I recall that experience left me quite naive, as I had no clue about the proceedings. [Laughs.] I remember being maneuvered around on the red carpet – “Look here, look there.” I also remember those long red stairs, and they practically dragged me up them. I was in my 80s at the time! It was quite a challenge. However, they were insistent that I would climb those stairs, and I did. The whole time, I just kept my mouth open, bewildered by everything. But we received a warm reception, as people would applaud us when we entered bars. I was taken aback by the entire experience, but now I have a better idea of what to expect, so it’s less overwhelming.

Have things changed for you this time compared to before, after all these years and experiences? I must say, I seem to be handling everything more effortlessly now, almost instinctively.

You were more anxious then?
Oh, God, yes. I simply did not know what to do. And now I do.

Are there no longer encounters with people on the streets for us? Instead, we’ve been confined to our hotel, traveling by car, and visiting the theater.

And a yacht! You told me earlier you went on a yacht.
Well, that was a party! That wasn’t work.

Wasn’t it Tory Kamen who penned the Eleanor the Great script especially for you? She wrote it during her college days, confidently predicting that June Squibb would take on the role. However, many dismissed this idea as absurd, believing the project would never materialize. Interestingly enough, one of the producers also came to believe the script was perfect for June Squibb only after reading it. I learned this tidbit just recently, during our conversation the other night. The script was given to me approximately two years before we began filming it.

What time did Scarlett make her appearance? That was approximately six months prior to filming. However, she was eager to start immediately. I penned her a letter, which moved her deeply. In it, I expressed my admiration for her acting abilities. She realized that I had ties with the project and inquired about which script I might choose to join. “What would June Squibb agree to?” she mused, expressing curiosity.

It’s true that I tend to be selective with my choices, often choosing to say no. However, when I do say yes, it’s because there’s a compelling reason behind it. In this case, the script was exceptional and the subject matter, the Holocaust, held great significance for me. As a child living in Illinois at the time, I remember vividly looking through Life magazine as we learned about the discovery of the concentration camps.

As a ten-year-old movie enthusiast, I vividly recall that experience. It left me shocked and dismayed, even then I grasped its gravity. The images of the war with Japan only added to my sense of astonishment.

Indeed, I do. In the very building where we’ve both resided, there was an individual who was a survivor of the Holocaust. We even shared a dinner together at a traditional Jewish eatery.

Which one are you referring to? It’s no longer there. The large one was Sardi’s. He frequently discussed the Holocaust. A friend of mine used to work at the Holocaust Museum, and we were talking about it. I said, “I find it astonishing how much he talks about it.” And she replied, “They all do. We have them in the museum all the time. They need to keep discussing it.” Every Holocaust survivor my friend had ever met, they always wanted to share their stories. In the movie, the character I have a brief conversation with says, “When you speak about it, you feel relieved.

You went on just one date with this guy?
[Laughs.] Yeah. But he would bring me food all the time.

You should call him up!
Well, he’s dead.

I see! You two managed to remain friends, right? However, he was aware that I wasn’t interested in going out anymore. His daughter often visited him, and I would occasionally cross paths with her outside. She recognized me. And it struck me, He must have told you about me, didn’t he…

Are you pickier with men or with scripts?
Oh, God. With men. I’m pretty picky with both, though.

In the film, Eleanor discusses her contemplation on dating, love, and intimacy. However, when we initially encountered her, she mentioned being content without a man in her life. Yet, it’s worth noting that these subjects are still on her mind. It’s not about finding someone unworthy; rather, her life is simply so engrossing that there’s no room for romance.

What age were you when you embraced Judaism for your first spouse? Did it hold significant weight for you back then?

I was in my twenties. It was more of a significant event for my family than it was for myself. I just felt it was the natural choice to make. I was genuinely happy about it. The rabbi was fantastic; he was quite young and we shared many interesting conversations. We’d often veer off topic, and he would remind me, “June, let’s get back to Judaism!” Our discussions were quite diverse. However, the best part was that he conducted our wedding ceremony. He may not have known my husband well, but he knew me very well. Later on, my husband Ed remarked, “Oh my goodness, he was marrying you! He wasn’t even marrying me at all.

What aspects resonated with you about Judaism?

I found myself captivated by the temple itself, and the meals prepared during those occasions. I also cherished the sight of my mother, who often graced our gatherings on Jewish holidays. The food she served was simply amazing. I felt a sense of pride in being Jewish.

What is your favorite food?
Matzo-ball soup. I love matzo balls.

Are you the one who often spends holidays at your apartment? Not really, I attend some instead. Interestingly, the same friend who worked at the museum hosts Seders. I usually join them. In the past, I went more frequently. However, I managed to make it there this year as well.

In this movie, you had the task of memorizing a portion from the Torah for your bat mitzvah, right? That was quite an experience for me. I indeed studied it thoroughly. While we were filming, I was reciting it in such a beautiful temple, really getting into character. People would exclaim, “Wow! Listen to you!” They said my voice sounded amazing! You know, because I added that melodious touch, don’t you? I simply had a blast. And one morning after we finished shooting, I woke up reciting the Torah in my sleep. I shouted for my assistant Kelly, telling her, “Kelly! I dreamed about reciting the Torah!” To which she responded, “For heaven’s sake, forget it! You’ve already done it. Now you can move on.

Are you still able to recall it? I might be able to dredge up the initial verses if I concentrate. However, I’m afraid it won’t last long.

By any chance, did you develop a friendship with Erin Kellyman?
Indeed, I did. Erin hails from the United Kingdom, and it so happened that we were both staying in the same apartment complex, which is quite rare in New York City. So I invited her over for dinner one evening, and before long, she started dropping by frequently. As our working schedule aligned, I found myself having regular dinners at Joe Allen with my friends every Saturday night. Since I’d been living there for a while, I suggested Erin join us. Fred Hechinger from Thelma also became part of our group. It turned out that Erin fit in seamlessly and was always welcomed as part of our family.

You won’t believe what took place! It seems someone from the production team thought Erin and I needed to get closer, so they sent us to a restaurant deep in Soho, without letting our driver or Kelly join us for lunch. Can you imagine that? We joked, “We’ve already bonded! This is preposterous!” And guess what happened next? We insisted they join us for lunch. I exclaimed to Scarlett, “What on earth is this?” To which she replied, “It wasn’t me, it wasn’t me!” We found the whole situation hilarious and had a good laugh about it.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but wonder why I have so many younger companions. Frankly, it’s not their youth that draws us together; it’s our shared passion for films and storytelling that binds us. Age doesn’t hinder my friendships—if someone captivates me with their spirit, we find common ground regardless of age.

Do your younger friends often seek guidance from you on life matters? No, not really, as I don’t feel like I’m someone they should look to for advice about their lives.

While I appreciate the compliment, I should clarify that my advice is more focused on matters other than acting. I’d be happy to help with whatever you’ve asked, but I wouldn’t advise a young actor on their performance techniques.

Why not consider it a matter of personal preference instead? If someone were to ask for my opinion, I’d be more than happy to share it. However, I believe it’s not for me to dictate the choices others make in their lives.

The film touches upon themes of loss and mortality. Could you share how your personal experiences with grief have shaped your life at this current moment?

After completing this, I’ll be moving on to voice-over work for Zootopia 2. In this sequel, I play the role of a bunny rabbit who is also the leading lady’s mother. The design of her character is simply adorable – she wears a tracksuit with droopy ears, and it’s quite amusing to see her!

Have you been engrossed in another Scandinavian mystery lately? If so, I’ve just finished reading “Åsa Larsson” – it’s quite an extensive book. I found it very enjoyable as it revolves around a young female lawyer who finds herself embroiled in various crimes.

Have you, much like Eleanor, ever spun an elaborate falsehood? Not on that scale. However, there was one instance in grade school where I told a lie, and I felt quite guilty about it afterwards. I pride myself on being truthful, but when it comes to theater folks, we often find ourselves in situations where we need to soften the blow. For example, after a friend’s performance, instead of telling them the truth if it was bad, I might say, “What an impressive costume!” That’s my way of navigating such delicate situations.

Wow, that’s amazing! Don’t you think they might notice?” could be rephrased as:

“Gosh, that’s impressive. I can’t help but wonder if they pick up on it.

Read More

2025-05-23 18:55