To be honest, I probably am more likely to tear up in a movie then my wife. Last year I talked about the movies that have made me cry the most. But, while my eyes remained relatively dry, I've never seen my wife cry so much as when we recently watched Away from Her.In this film the story of a woman having Alzheimer's, being sent to an assisted care facility, forgetting her past, including her husband, and finding companionship with a male Alzheimer's patient makes for an emotionally draining tale. And while the story is compelling, writer/director Sarah Polley is not so much concerned with plot, but with characters and emotions. And Oscar winner Julie Christie does a remarkable job playing Fiona.
With award season, big films, and precursors months away I hope that Academy Awards voters remember this film and Julie Christie's performance for best actress contention, because it is certainly nominatable, moving, and powerful.
Plus, I think this film is an important film to open up discussions on Alzheimer's, as well as how children, spouses, and families deal with this real disease and its symptoms.
Related Tags: Award Buzz, Julie Christie, away from her, sarah polley, alzheimers, aging, tears
13 comments:
I recently saw this and was brought to tears. I've since heard that these situations arise quite often. Very upsetting indeed. But a fantastic performance.
I have not seen the movie but I would love to watch it. Thanks for the review.
This was an amazing film, I thought. It was one of the 2 films that I actually got to see when I was at Sundance this year. Sarah Polley did a Q&A afterward and she is truly wise beyond her years. Julie Christie is simply beautiful, stunningly so.
The other movie I saw there was "Grace is Gone" with John Cusack. It, too, was quite a little moving film. Good, but not great, it was one of the first films signed to a distribution deal from Sundance and yet it doesn't seem clear to me that it will have a wide release. Cusack is very good against type in the role, it would be a shame if this movie never saw the light of day.
I missed it in the theater. Sometimes the best movies are the ones with no real plot, but just are about the lives of others.
Hello, this is John Lee from John's Movie Blog. I think this is easily one of the best films released this year. It's rare that a film deals with such an emotional subject and implants not just sadness but a complex array of thoughts on the characters.
Would you like to exchange links to each other's blogs? Please let me know.
http://moviejohn.blogspot.com
Cheers,
John
I'm not sure if it qualifies for an Oscar nod - technically it was released in 2006. That said, Christie's performance was outstanding and Pinsent was no slough either.
(Hey, Kat is here. And she beat me!)
I hadn't heard of this movie but recently found out a relative is in the early stages of this tragic disease, so I will check it out. Thanks for the head's up.
@ kat, i'll be interested to see what direction Sarah Polley takes in the years to come....more writing? acting? directing?
@ Marina, Away from Her should qualify based on it's LA/NY premiere dates.
I haven't gotten to see this film yet, but I really want to. I have always thought Sarah Polley was talented as an actress and would probably make a good director. And I have always loved Julie Christie.
I have read lots about this movie; I respect Sarah Polley, Gordon Pinsent and Julie Christie, but I can't bring myself to see this movie---too close to home maybe?
Sarah Polley is a real gem. I admire that someone her age could take on this subject matter. I think she has a bright future if this film is any indication.
I REALLY want to see this movie. The movie that gets me every time is Requiem for a Dream. It's brutal and extremely sad.
It's a killer movie... got my attention from the first minutes of watching
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