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| Movie Review: Away From Her Alternate Title: Fade to Black
Story: How do you make a film
about Alzheimer's new, subtle and surprising without having the usual
sappy sobfest seen on those Lifetime movies? Debut feature film director
and writer, young Sarah Polley has created an amazing
must see film. This 27 year old actor is wise beyond her years. Her
film is based on the short story by Alice Munro (The
Bear That Came Over the Mountain) that first appeared in the New
Yorker in 2000. The ravages of Alzheimer's creeps into the seemingly
idyllic lives of Fiona and Grant, who have been married for 44 years.
They jointly decide she should enter a residential facility to deal
with the disease. We witness moments of brilliant direction and acting
that will take your breath away. Please do not let the topic of Alzheimer's keep
you away from this film that is filled with love, pathos and humor.
I await Ms Polley's future endeavors. Acting: Julie Christie is nothing
short of astonishing in this role as Fiona. Christie at 66 is still
a knock out and it is refreshing to see an actress who has not had any
cosmetic surgery. She is glorious. Gordon Pinsent as
Grant is also wonderful. He is a bear of a man and plays the part with
loving sensitivity. Olympia Dukakis does not fall much
out of the reach of her usual down to earth roles but she is also terrific.
The rest of the cast is superb as well. Predilection: I like Sarah Polley as an actor and
one of her films (The Secret Life of Words) was on my top ten
Lobo list last year
Food: There are several scenes in the kitchen where
food is lovingly prepared.
Blatant Product Placement: Ford
Soundtrack: The haunting music of Neil Young
stays with you throughout the film.
Opening Titles: An overview of the idyllic lakeside
location where this couple has retired.
Visual Art: The art in the 'home' is nothing short
of comical.
Theater Audience: Crowded for a Tuesday afternoon.
The lions share of people were gray haired but there were plenty of
younger folk too.
Weather: Canada looks very snowy in the winter.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: The only drifts I saw were snow drifts.
Predictability Level: Moderate
Tissue Usage: I admit to the occasional weepies.
Oscar Worthy: Yes
Big Screen or Rental: Julie Christie is a sensational
actor. Have yourself a Julie Christie festival and rent some of these
great films: The Secret Life of Words, Finding Neverland, Afterglow,
Heaven Can Wait, Shampoo, Don't Look Now, McCabe & Mrs. Miller,
Petulia, Far from the Madding Crowd, Fahrenheit 451, Billy Liar, Darling
and the oh so wonderful, Doctor Zhivago
Length: Under two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 9
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