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The Savages [2007]


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Thought-provoking
Review date: 2008-08-14 Rating: 8 out of 10

The title might give the wrong impression as to the theme of the film as 'Savages' is the surname of the three main characters. The sad decline of an elderly parent into dementia is an unusual topic for a Hollywood studio to tackle, but one that will have resonance for many of us who have, or have had, elderly parents becoming more and more dependent and requiring institutional care. It's a thought-provoking film with excellent and moving performances.

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Reviews


A chance to look life in the face
Review date: 2008-08-10 Rating: 10 out of 10

The Savages is the story of two adult children grappling with the care of their father as he faces the final phase of his life after his second wife dies, leaving him homeless and suffering from dementia.

This eventually inescapable but normally avoided subject is treated with honesty, intelligence and mild humour by writer and director Tamara Jenkins who apparantly draws from her own experience.

Having been very close to an elderly relative who suffered dementia and involved in the guilt ridden, heart-wrenching decisions that go with taking control of another person's life - many of the scenarios, characters and settings were deeply familiar to me. However I was even able to chuckle and see the funny side to a lot of the plot and although it brough up feelings and memories it was a chance to validate and re-evaluate. More saddening to me than the decline of the elderly father was the unfulfilling lives being led by the early middle aged children, who had so much life left to live.

The subject may be a bit close to the bone for anyone with an infirm or elderly parent but for me it was a chance to look it in the face and smile at the lighter side of the inescapable.

And if you like this - you must watch Away From Her.

your mum and dad really...
Review date: 2008-07-15 Rating: 6 out of 10

Well made, worthy, introspective film about an abusive dad falling into dementia and dying and how his two, moderately unhappy middle aged children cope. Not exactly a barrel of laughs, it does make some good points (when your dad is doolaly there's not much point making much of an effort) and the interaction between the siblings is spot on.... but it's a bit boring and not as good as most critics made it out to be.

Worthy film
Review date: 2008-06-28 Rating: 6 out of 10

If you want to see two fine actors at work, enjoy a sensitive screenplay and are up to a challenging theme, then this is the one to watch.

I was bowled over by Linney and Hoffman's performances. Two flawed siblings all at sea when their estranged father needs caring for. There was a healthy balance of pathos and humour and if the ending was little too neat, well then too bad.

Not one of my all time favourites by any means, but I am glad I saw it.



Where Does Theatre End and Real Life Begin?
Review date: 2008-05-03 Rating: 10 out of 10




"It's the pleasure of a true-to-life tale told by a director and actors who've sunk so deep into their movie together you wonder how they ever surfaced. You live with Jon and Wendy Savage gratefully, even when they can't always do the same." Manohla Dargis

"They mess you up, your mum and dad," Philip Larkin wrote, says Peter Travers. The two Savages, Wendy and Jon are as screwed up as they come, but they are likable, wonderfully human people. Wendy lives in NYC and is a temp while trying to write plays, and John is a professor of Brecht in Buffalo- and yes, they do shuffle off to Buffalo. Wendy has a married lover and Jon a Polish girlfriend, but he is not able to commit, and her visa expires and she leaves. Their father, with whom they have been estranged most of their life has dementia and needs care. Here they come to the rescue- they travel to Arizona to bring him back to Buffalo and a nursing home. All the trials and tribulations of caring for a father, with whom you have little in common, who probably physically abused you, and who can still get to you in those little ways.

The film of the days in the life of a man who is dying. Lenny, played by Philip Bosco is a stage actor who has completed 40 films, a true actor. Wendy as played by Laura Linney is as always a study in the definition of pure acting, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman, as Jon, who is a giant in our acting industry more than bring this film together.

This is a movie of appreciation for the nature that goes into making us who we are. Because as brother and sister Jon and Wendy are able to bring it all home. Not enough superlatives can be stated about the acting and the three actors who make this film. This is also a film of humour, of the everyday issues and problems that raise their head and the circumstances that make us laugh. There are no answers in this film. How do you find a nursing home for your demented father? How do you make that room one you want to live in? How do you provide love when there wasn't any at the beginning? Tamara Jenkins, the writer and director has provided a story that none of us want to live, but one we all need to see.

"Jenkins and her three astonishing actors create comic devastation out of situations as serious as a mental meltdown and picking out just the right nursing home. There is nothing cozy about The Savages. Bosco, a theater legend, seizes his juiciest film role and makes every shocking moment count. And Linney is an amazement, showing vulnerability and strength at war for a character's soul. As for Hoffman, is this his year, or what?" Peter Travers

This film is one that is so poignant, and we can all see some vestiges of our families in this tale. There have been few films that show us what real life is like when someone in our family has dementia. This film portrays that reality with humour and finally with understanding.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 04-26-08

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Peter Friedman
Philip Bosco
Laura Linney

Creators:
Laura Linney (Primary Contributor)
Philip Seymour Hoffman (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5039036037747
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-05-26
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 110 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2007
Language: English (Original Language)

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