Kevin Kline and Maggie Smith match wits in My Old Lady

Powerhouseactors Kevin Kline andMaggie Smith face-off inMy Old Lady, aset-in-Paris dramedy that had its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

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Kline stars as a hard-pressed American playboy who inherits a Parisian apartment from his father. But the flatcomes with a stubborn old catch a feistynonagenarianplayed by British acting heavyweightMaggie Smith.

Kristin Scott Thomas co-stars as Smith's daughterand Kline'scomplicated love interest.

Kline says their common experience asactors helped ease the working situation on set.

"We're all theatre actors," Klinetold CBC Arts."So, there's an immediate chemistryand easy intimacy. And with both the actresses being English, there was a 'Let's get on with it'sort of thing."

From stage to screen

Theformidable trio was adream-come-true for first-time directorIsraelHorovitz.

But Horovitz is no newbie when it comes to story.The veteranplaywright and screenwriterhas more than 70 titles under his belt, including the classicThe Indian Wants the Bronx.

Horovitzsays his film directing style is inspired by a master of the cinema.

"Sidney Lumet once said to me, 'Get the greatest actors in the world and then stay out of their way.' "

• VIDEO|Kevin Kline and Israel Horovitz on My Old Lady

Horowitz adaptedMy Old Lady from his own 2002play. In the video above, he and Kline discussthe challenges of bringing a story from the stage to silverscreen.

My Old Lady opens in theatres Oct. 3.