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Rated: R
Starring: Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Laura Linney and Phillip Bosco
Directed By: Tamara Jenkins
Hoffman and Linney provide all the humor and amazement in The
Savages, a clever heart-felt drama.
Their chemistry really works as the mismatched siblings who have to
deal with a father"s condition that puts them at odds. But, using dementia for
a comedy platform does take away some of the compassion, especially if you are
one of the many who have to contend with the appalling disease.
Wendy Savage (Linney) gets a call from an Arizona caretaker letting her know that
Lenny (Bosco), her father, can no longer take care of himself due to the
advanced progression of his dementia. Wendy, who has been providing most of the family
contact for Lenny, makes a call to her brother Jon (Hoffman) who lives in Buffalo.
Wendy finally convinces Jon, that due to the
magnitude of the problem, he should share in the burden of finding a ‘home’
for Lenny. After much resistance, Jon
finally takes some action by flying down to visit Wendy for a reunion of sorts
and to discuss what they will be doing with a father that was never really a
caring parent.
Although
the subject matter is a bit testy, the unusual comedy does work. Linney is superb as the ‘cornered’ sister
that looks destined to take on the whole burden, with Hoffman playing the
devil’s advocate on all their strategy.
The two are perfectly matched in this humorous, yet compelling film. Look for a possible Oscar nod for both of
them.
Direction
by Jenkins is keen and strong, putting her actors on an equal footing, making the story interesting and offbeat.
Her control of the two fine actors, who have proven records with long
lists of amazing films, keeps the plot moving with just enough banter to
emphasize the personality of the characters.
Cinematography by W. Mott Hupfel III, who also photographed The
Notorious Bette Page, does equally as good here. His exterior shots are amazing, and in one
scene provides the chill of winter by capturing the dark and dank cold of a snowy
day in northern USA.
Although I
am not advocating the film as a lesson in dealing with loved ones that will
soon, or have already, entered a downward spiral in their lives, it does give some
insight into that realm. The Savages
does have some sexuality and language, but that’s not why you should probably
leave the children at home, it’s because they will probably not understand the
drama and the pathos the film delivers.
FINAL ANALYSIS: The Savages is a film with wonderful
acting in a heart-felt story about what most all of us will have to face
some time in our future if we have older loved ones.
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