Away From Her [2007] [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.

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!

"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". Many lovely scenes ensue as the Alzheimer's progresses and Grant visits daily and sits and watches his wife slowly slipping away. Grant does become involved with life again but in his mind Fiona comes first. The life of partners when one has Alzheimer's should be viewed by all.

"In a refreshingly direct, unassuming manner, "Away From Her" considers two great human mysteries: the persistence of love and the workings of the brain. It takes the twilight of a long, mostly happy marriage as a vantage point from which to look back at youth and forward into the waiting darkness. I can't remember the last time the movies yielded up a love story so painful, so tender and so true." A. O Scott

Highly, highly Recommended. prisrob 02-09-08