By Alicia Powell
NEW YORK – Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn plays a reluctant new arrival at a retirement home in comedy “Queen Bees,” where she comes face to face with a gang of “mean girls.”
Despite insisting on a temporary stay while her home is renovated, Burstyn’s character Helen soon makes friends with the women and finds romance as well.
The 88-year-old, known for her work in Hollywood, television and Broadway, spoke to Reuters about the role alongside co-stars Ann-Margret and Loretta Devine.
Below are excerpts edited for clarity and length.
What made you want to do this film?
Burstyn: It was a different image of a retirement home that I was carrying in my head …
We were in a real retirement home and it was beautiful. I was surprised at how many activities there were and the swimming pool and the beautiful dining room and good food and then a lot of love affairs were going on there.
Did you have any hesitation in doing the film?
Ann-Margret: No hesitation at all, no. And it was so much fun having (actor) Christopher Lloyd as my boyfriend. He was so dear and full of life and so endearing.
Burstyn: Writers don’t write very often films for four women in their 70s and I’m in my 80s … it’s a rare thing and it’s a relief for me to see people that I recognise as somebody that I might actually know … and not older people just pictured as doddering old folks on their way out. I like that about it, it’s fun. — Reuters
