Penelope Cruz is getting rave reviews for her latest English-language film Elegy.

Adapted from Philip Roth's novel The Dying Animal, the movie sees the Spanish actress star opposite Sir Ben Kingsley.

Cruz plays Cuban-American Consuela, a student who falls for her professor David (Kingsley).

The steamy love scenes have attracted as much attention as the leading lady's performance, which has been described as her best in English.

Elegy is directed by fellow Spaniard Isabel Coixet and features a cameo from Blondie singer Deborah Harry, who play's David's estranged wife.

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