A retired, control-freak businesswoman and a young, tenacious journalist become friends in “The Last Word,” a dramedy to star Shirley MacLaine and Amanda Seyfried.

Myriad Pictures will finance and handle international sales for the crowd-pleaser, as well as begin sales at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Here’s the press summary: “In ‘The Last Word,’ MacLaine plays Harriett, a retired successful businesswoman who wants to control everything around her until the bitter end. So she decides to write her own obituary to make sure her life story is told her way. But when Anne (Seyfried), a young writer at the local newspaper, is assigned to the task, she refuses to follow the script and instead insists on finding out the true facts about Harriett’s life. The pair then set out to uncover the ups and downs of Harriett’s life, initially as reluctant partners, and what begins as an attempt to shape her own legacy turns out to be a reawakening of passions for Harriett — and a life-altering friendship for Anne.”

Said director Mark Pellington, “This is a funny, heartwarming and emotionally tender tale of life. It explores the true source of power for independent women, and is a riotous, life-affirming film about the lessons learned through time and the generational gifts that are bestowed.”

“This is an actor’s piece,” he continued, “with MacLaine and Seyfried taking the audience on an entertaining and emotionally powerful journey. I’m passionate about working with these two amazing actors and bringing this unique story to life.”