Away from Her (B or 3/4 stars)
It's hard letting go of a loved one, especially when they're still alive. 'Away from Her' (directed by Sarah Polley) tells the story of a man, Grant (Gordon Pinsent), coping with the institutionalization of his wife, Fiona (the luminous, intoxicating Julie Christie), because she has Alzheimer’s disease. He is forced to face (what apparently happens a lot in real life) a transfer of affections from himself to a fellow patient at the nursing home. Right away, Fiona, Gordon, and 'we' are aware that her forgetfulness is the beginning of diagnosed Alzheimer’s. She puts a pan away in the fridge; leaves water boiling on the stove; wanders away from home, etc. But she's well enough, & smart enough to realize that going to a nursing home is for the best. Grant checks out the place, run by Ms. Montpelier (Wendy Crewson), and is scared that he'll lose his wife for good if she gets admitted. A 'no visitors for 30 days' policy scares him as they'd never been separated from each other for over 44 yrs.
When Grant ultimately visits her, he's devastated that she not only seems to have forgotten him already, but that she's thrust her focus unto Aubrey, a mute patient. They grow farther apart, his love never dies, but he finds a source of comfort in Marian (Olympia Dukakis), Aubrey's wife! Grant is very vulnerable because he feels guilty over a dark marital moment from his past. Marian is vulnerable because she's been struggling with Aubrey's vacant illness for quite a long time. They form an unlikely relationship without sacrificing the love of their spouses along the way. Life goes on, even if their unfortunate loved ones still linger.
Alzheimer’s is depicted very well (from both ends of the spectrum). You see Fiona's painful dissolution of whereabouts, memory, & sense of self. And you certainly get a sense of how much more painful it is for the caregivers; grievance & mourning begins before the patient even dies. Sarah Polley does well to handle the disease with dignity & concern. And surprisingly, she's able to escape the sappy, sentimental angle. Really, it's more so about how Grant & Marian try to get on with their lives. Gordon Pinsent lends great perspective as the saddened husband; conveying so much in his weary eyes. Dukakis achieves greatness by using restraint in her evolution from sourpuss-to-caring, vulnerable individual. They realize that love remains 'in' their living spouses, though it's hidden in far away crevices of the brain.
And Julie Christie is wonderful as the utterly radiant, but diminishing human being, trying to go out calmly, quietly, & respectfully. She knows what's coming, she just doesn't know when it will take over her existence. I also liked (very much) the dreamy style of the film. It's vast, snowy landscapes, & lulling musical score lend to an already dreamy, delicate, poignant look at a vastly forgetful disease. If there's a problem with 'Away From Her', it's the pacing near the end. The beginning of the film is a revelation of low-key brilliance. By the end, you're glum, & know you won’t be surprised by anything. The initial effect wears off, a bit. Also, while the actors work superbly with what they had, I don't think the genteel, intuitive script enhanced character depth to its full potential. Still, despite my beef with the end, this is clearly a quality movie to check out.
When Grant ultimately visits her, he's devastated that she not only seems to have forgotten him already, but that she's thrust her focus unto Aubrey, a mute patient. They grow farther apart, his love never dies, but he finds a source of comfort in Marian (Olympia Dukakis), Aubrey's wife! Grant is very vulnerable because he feels guilty over a dark marital moment from his past. Marian is vulnerable because she's been struggling with Aubrey's vacant illness for quite a long time. They form an unlikely relationship without sacrificing the love of their spouses along the way. Life goes on, even if their unfortunate loved ones still linger.
Alzheimer’s is depicted very well (from both ends of the spectrum). You see Fiona's painful dissolution of whereabouts, memory, & sense of self. And you certainly get a sense of how much more painful it is for the caregivers; grievance & mourning begins before the patient even dies. Sarah Polley does well to handle the disease with dignity & concern. And surprisingly, she's able to escape the sappy, sentimental angle. Really, it's more so about how Grant & Marian try to get on with their lives. Gordon Pinsent lends great perspective as the saddened husband; conveying so much in his weary eyes. Dukakis achieves greatness by using restraint in her evolution from sourpuss-to-caring, vulnerable individual. They realize that love remains 'in' their living spouses, though it's hidden in far away crevices of the brain.
And Julie Christie is wonderful as the utterly radiant, but diminishing human being, trying to go out calmly, quietly, & respectfully. She knows what's coming, she just doesn't know when it will take over her existence. I also liked (very much) the dreamy style of the film. It's vast, snowy landscapes, & lulling musical score lend to an already dreamy, delicate, poignant look at a vastly forgetful disease. If there's a problem with 'Away From Her', it's the pacing near the end. The beginning of the film is a revelation of low-key brilliance. By the end, you're glum, & know you won’t be surprised by anything. The initial effect wears off, a bit. Also, while the actors work superbly with what they had, I don't think the genteel, intuitive script enhanced character depth to its full potential. Still, despite my beef with the end, this is clearly a quality movie to check out.