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Product Description
Moving adaptation of a short story by Alice Munro, starring Julie Christie as Fiona, who has been married to Grant (Gordon Pinsent) for almost 50 years. The couple's commitment to each other appears unwavering, and their everyday life is full of tenderness and humor. This serenity is broken only by the occasional, carefully restrained reference to the past, giving a sense that this marriage may not always have been such a fairy tale. This tendency of Fiona's to make such references, along with her increasingly evident memory loss, creates a tension that is usually brushed off casually by both of them. But as the lapses become more obvious and dramatic, it is no longer possible for either of them to ignore the fact that Fiona is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Product Description
Away From Her [2007] [DVD]
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By pete
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
There is a quiet stillness in this film, in the depiction of Altzhiemers. The reaction from the main character to her increasing dementia is largely internal. She goes for beautifully shot walks in the snow. This leads the viewer to struggle with one of the main weaknesses in the plot. Why voluntarily commit yourself to a nursing home when you're still able to function? The film cant really get around this flaw and I was left to question if the character played with a bit too much stoical dignity by Julie Christie was just trying to get away from her husband. That ambiguity may indeed be tied up in the title. Sara Polley the director, who is also a brilliant actress directs a thoughtful film that largely shies away from tackling its subject with as much messy reality as it needs.I did enjoy it though an its worth a watch!
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
"Don't worry, I'm just losing my mind" she quips when he catches her absently putting a frying pan in the freezer. But it's not a joke: Fiona has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's." Dennis Harvey
Fiona, Julie Christie, is in the midst of Alzheimer's. She is having symptoms and when she becomes lost in the cold she makes the decision to enter a facility for care. Fiona and her husband, Grant, a retired professor, played by Gordon Pinsent , live on a lake in Ontario and have been married for over 40 years. Loving, fulfilled years and they seem the happy, retired couple. This movie is so well played that we enter into the mindset of both Fiona and Grant and have a glimpse of what their lives might be like. First from the person involved with Alzheimer's and then from the partner's perspective. Julie Christie, one of the most beautiful of actresses, remains as lovely and serene as ever. As Fiona she plays this part with extreme serenity and intelligence. Gordon Pinsent, her husband Grant, is a charismatic man and his part is played with subtlety and perfection. Kristen Thomson, the lead nurse at the facility is wonderful with her compassion, knowledge and insight.
At an early point in their marriage, Grant had affairs with his younger students and even though Fiona stayed there seems to be an unspoken anger within her. At times you wonder if some of her symptoms and behavior are not exaggerated by her anger. At the facility, Fiona becomes involved in the daily life of a man, Aubrey, and seems at times to have forgotten who Grant is. The issue of finding another soul to hang onto when you are going down this path of the unknown seems to me to be a human need. And, as Fiona says to Grant, "Aubrey does not confuse me".... Read more ›
Fiona, Julie Christie, is in the midst of Alzheimer's. She is having symptoms and when she becomes lost in the cold she makes the decision to enter a facility for care. Fiona and her husband, Grant, a retired professor, played by Gordon Pinsent , live on a lake in Ontario and have been married for over 40 years. Loving, fulfilled years and they seem the happy, retired couple. This movie is so well played that we enter into the mindset of both Fiona and Grant and have a glimpse of what their lives might be like. First from the person involved with Alzheimer's and then from the partner's perspective. Julie Christie, one of the most beautiful of actresses, remains as lovely and serene as ever. As Fiona she plays this part with extreme serenity and intelligence. Gordon Pinsent, her husband Grant, is a charismatic man and his part is played with subtlety and perfection. Kristen Thomson, the lead nurse at the facility is wonderful with her compassion, knowledge and insight.
At an early point in their marriage, Grant had affairs with his younger students and even though Fiona stayed there seems to be an unspoken anger within her. At times you wonder if some of her symptoms and behavior are not exaggerated by her anger. At the facility, Fiona becomes involved in the daily life of a man, Aubrey, and seems at times to have forgotten who Grant is. The issue of finding another soul to hang onto when you are going down this path of the unknown seems to me to be a human need. And, as Fiona says to Grant, "Aubrey does not confuse me".... Read more ›
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Callum Doone
Format:DVD
This is a remarkably fine, lyrical, sensitive and evocative study of the effects of Alzheimer's disease with an early onset in middle age. Julie Christie gives a moving and thoroughly convincing performance, which is never overstated, sentimental or mawkish. This is not an overly depressing film, though it is extremely sombre in tone, beautifully shot and rooted in the clearly good intentions of a first-class script. There are questionable decisions taken by the characters at certain points within the narrative, which I will not discuss here for obvious reasons of "spoiling" though I would say that they don't necessarily detract from the integrity of the film. Whereas we may not entirely agree with the paths and decisions taken by the characters, it nontheless informs our understanding of this important condition and its impact upon real lives. It also, inevitably provokes debate and discussion, laying a compelling challenge to our pre-conceptions. Wholeheartedly recommended.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This was a very poignant film for me as I have recently been diagnosed as having a rare type of Alzheimer's Disease. I found Julie Christies' portrayal of the sufferer deeply moving, touching both the disintegration of the mind and also the way the essence remains intact.It portrayed the entirety of the relationship between the couple, humour, eroticism and pain with a delicate and sure touch. Wonderful acting. I reccommend it highly for people who may be facing this dreadful disease as it manages to be both honest and yet life affirming.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. F. E. Marioni
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
First time director Sarah Polley tells a wonderfull story of a husband and wife (played by Gordon Pinsent and Julie Christie) who are faced with the realization that the wife has alzheimers and can no longer live in the outside world, so together they decide to admit her into a home. What follows is a harrowing portrait of how this disease affects not just the victim but those close around.
The performance from Julie Christie is rightly being praised by various award ceremonies but it is the performance of Gordon Pinsent which should be. He is simply breathtaking in every way as he plays the confused, unhappy and angry husband pitch perfect.
If there is a fault and I'm nit-picking here it is very slow moving and can be excruciatingly painfull to see everything this man goes through for his wife.
To sum up Sarah Polley directs this small treat of a film with perfect performances from the two leads.I highy reccomend this film.
The performance from Julie Christie is rightly being praised by various award ceremonies but it is the performance of Gordon Pinsent which should be. He is simply breathtaking in every way as he plays the confused, unhappy and angry husband pitch perfect.
If there is a fault and I'm nit-picking here it is very slow moving and can be excruciatingly painfull to see everything this man goes through for his wife.
To sum up Sarah Polley directs this small treat of a film with perfect performances from the two leads.I highy reccomend this film.
21 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By patashnik
Format:DVD
Amongst a lot of overhyped dross from last year, this little gem of a film stood out by miles. As soon as I saw it I had the feeling that Julie Christie would justly receive awards for her performance. If there is any justice she will receive Academy Award for Best Actress. It is a shame that Gordon Pinsent who plays her character's husband has not been similarly recognised for his subtle yet deeply-moving performance. The synopsis will tell you the storyline. All I have to add is that if you are looking for a superbly-acted, brilliantly-scripted film that does not insult your intelligence or rely on overrated Hollywood names for its power, then this is one for you.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Slow and dull
Just a movie that tries to emulate movies like The Notebook... good topic butso badly portrayed by the wrong actors.
Published 1 month ago by Juliet Sleigh
3.0 out of 5 stars
Away from her
Love Julie Christie and have a relative with Dementia, who hasn't these day's ? So gave it a go, but found it a little hard going and on the depressing side. Read more
Published 14 months ago by jules
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well, Hello Julie, It's So Nice to Have You Back Where You Belong, On...
"Away From Her," a Canadian drama/romance, stars the radiant English actress Julie Christie, whom we haven't seen nearly enough of recently, in a great part, that might have been... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Stephanie DePue
1.0 out of 5 stars
TOTALLY UNREALISTIC
This movie is a comedy. Imagine someone with
Alzheimer's saying "well, I think it's time to
go to the nursing home now. Read more
Alzheimer's saying "well, I think it's time to
go to the nursing home now. Read more
Published on 24 May 2011 by Stephanie C. Wood
5.0 out of 5 stars
great service
Good product!
In perfect woking order. Arrived brand new.
Partner was very happy to see this film, as watched it on tv and wanted it for his collection! :)
In perfect woking order. Arrived brand new.
Partner was very happy to see this film, as watched it on tv and wanted it for his collection! :)
Published on 31 Mar 2011 by Hannah_223
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heartbreaking yet wonderful
It's been a long long time since a movie has moved me so much- to tears in fact. The utter sadness I felt for the male character and the hopelessness someone must feel in the same... Read more
Published on 7 Dec 2010 by M. Singleton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very moving
I watched this last night, staying up til 1.30 to do so, which I never do. I found it deeply affecting, and cried several times, and the feeling of it has stayed with me all day. Read more
Published on 1 Dec 2010 by Pattycake
4.0 out of 5 stars
Heartbreaking
The great strength of this is the acting. All the actors are subtle and completely believable. I felt I was watching people's lives rather than a 'performance'. Read more
Published on 18 July 2010 by Ms Anne Milton
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Remarkable and Poignant Film
This is a fine, lyrical, sensitive and evocative study of the effects of Alzheimer's disease with an early onset in middle age. Read more
Published on 6 April 2009 by Callum Doone
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as I expected
I thought it was a good film, but there was a lot in the beginning of the Story that wasn`t true to life, to be honest I thought after I had watched it, why did I buy it.
Published on 12 Mar 2009 by A. E. Crittell
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