THE WHISPERERS (1966) Old-age life in very un-merry old England

In the Brit flick THE WHISPERERS, Edith Evans plays a lonely old woman living in a dirty, cluttered flat. Dementia- touched, she imagines voices coming from her faucets and radio, and also suspects her neighbors are spying on her. Also, she believes herself to be an heiress waiting for her inheritance to come through. It's painful to see the old woman begging for a new pair of shoes or a pound for food, and as the story develops, you find yourself worrying about her welfare as though she were your own relative. Known for her flamboyant Restoration comedy stage and occasional screen performances, Dame Edith in this role gives a small, finely detailed performance, completely unsentimental and without vanity. Nominated for an Oscar, she lost to Katherine Hepburn for GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER.