"It isn't how you get there, it's what you do along the way that counts."
"It isn't how you get there, it's what you do along the way that counts."
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Director: Tamara Jenkins Writer: Tamara Jenkins Genre: Comedy - Drama Country: USA Certification: 15+ Language: English Released: 26th May, 2008 (DVD)
MAIN CAST:
Laura Linney (Wendy Savage) Philip Seymour Hoffman (Jon Savage) Philip Bosco (Lenny Savage)
Wendy and Jon Savage, whose mother abandoned them when they were still very young, are forced to dredge up the past when their father, whom they haven't seen in years, is literally shoved into their arms. Unable to care for their elderly father who is suffering from dementia, the siblings decide to place him in a nursing home.
'The Savages' is a disturbing movie that dredges up raw emotions that are better left undisturbed. It is thought-provoking and sad, and for those who are just years short of retirement, the direness of this movie will be extremely depressing. In fact, having still many years to go until my own retirement, the movie, nonetheless, affected me in a negative manner and made me question the feasibility, in terms of happiness, of a long life. Does anyone want to live a long life if it means the loss of memories, the ability to care for oneself, and having to live the final years in a near vegetative state being treated like a baby with diaper changes and forced feedings? I think not - and that's what this movie does; it makes you think, it makes you wonder, it makes you hope that you won't be around long enough to suffer the humiliations of being unable to care for yourself.
Although this movie is depressingly centred around old-age, dementia and nursing homes, it also focuses upon family… or the lack of. Wendy, who works as a 'temp' and spends her free time writing plays that are constantly turned down, is a disturbed young woman with a distinct lack of self-esteem and self-confidence. She has been psychologically wounded by the mother who abandoned her, and the father who was often violent and almost always absent. Wendy suffers from a profound feeling that nothing she does is ever good enough, and in an effort to feel loved, she attaches herself to a married man whose only intention is to use her body without ever actually getting emotionally involved. As for Jon, the abuse he suffered at his father's hand have made him incapable of living a full and healthy life. Although well-educated and earning a good living as a writer, Jon is incapable of sharing his emotions - he is incapable of being in a long-term relationship that demands openness, trust and a willingness to try.
When Jon and Wendy are forced to take responsibility for their father, the tender-hearted Wendy, who is still searching for her father's love and approval, will do whatever it takes to make him happy, while as Jon, who suffered abuse at his father's hand, remains steadfastly distant.
'The Savages' is not a 'feel good' movie, and probably not suitable for anyone over the age of 55 as it is wholeheartedly depressing.
The storyline itself is good, delving as it does into human emotions and dredging up feelings that are more often than not extremely dark and dismal - which says a lot for the actors who manage to draw their audience into the story and secure them with strong emotional ties. Brilliant acting throughout, a good strong script, clever dialogue - but never, ever funny. Why anyone thought to class this as a comedy I'll never understand… it is definitely NOT funny… it is 100% drama - 100% depressing.
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An irreverent hilarious and heartbreaking story revolving around a modern American family ... more
The Savages portrays an all-too-common dilemma: after drifting apart emotionally and geographically over the years two siblings Wendy (Laura Linney) and Jon (P...
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