Co-Starring: Philip Bosco, Peter Friedman
I want to acknowledge right up front that my reaction to The Savages is diametrically opposed to almost every review I've read.
I was expecting it to be a poignant yet ultimately uplifting look at a family affected by the Parkinson's-related dementia of a parent. Instead, it was a dismal portrayal of aging and dysfunction.
The studio bills the movie as "An irreverent, hilarious and heartbreaking story revolving around a modern American family..." Whoever watched this movie and wrote that horseshit needs their head examined — a diagnosis of which would probably be dementia. rimshot
This film is de-press-ing. While there are a few chuckles to be had, there is nothing "hilarious" about it. And the sorrow isn't really generated from the dementia aspect (although that's depressing, too), but more from the effed up lives of the children played by Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman. I came away with the feeling that Americans are a complete mess and there is no hope for us as a culture.
Most of you know that I am the caregiver to my mother who has Alzheimer's disease. See my Alzheimer's Moments blog for more on that. I went into the movie expecting to identify with the caregivers and release some of my own stress with a good cry. I didn't shed a tear...it is not heartwarming.
It was interesting that I found myself identifying with the parent rather than the children. It made me feel sorry for aging people. I wondered what it must be like to depend completely on others, whether they be professional caregivers, unstable and/or uninterested relatives, or complete strangers. The helplessness I saw on the screen gave me refreshed insight into how my mother must feel. Very scary, indeed.
What I Liked
• Peter Friedman does an outstanding job in a supporting role as Laura Linney's boyfriend. While his character isn't the most likable, he plays it very well, and you forget that he's an actor in front of a camera. You may recognize him from the television series Brooklyn Bridge several years ago.
• Interesting premise. I just think it was poorly executed starting with the script.
• It gave me an idea for my mom — I'm going to buy her a lava lamp! I remember how my grandparents had one
What I Didn't Like
• The acting was inconsistent. At times the leads were awesome, other times flat. The supporting cast was great (see above).
• Bait and Switch Marketing #1: This is not a comedy and it is not hilarious; it is a drama, and a depressing drama at that.
• Bait and Switch Marketing #2: This is not primarily about dementia; that is the setting and catalyst for the examination of the effed up lives of those damn depressing unlikable dysfunctional children.
• Laura Linney's terrible brown wig. I'm being petty, yes, but I found it distracting.
What I Learned
• Getting old can really suck.
• Plan ahead. Check into Long Term Healthcare Insurance; nursing homes ain't cheap and those gorgeous assisted living places are even worse.
• Get a will, decide what should be done if you are incapacitated, and plan what you want for your funeral.
• Be nice to your kids because you may really need them someday.
This movie gets my thumb sideways. It isn't awful but I'd recommend other movies to see first. Now pardon me while I go double my dose of Paxil.
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