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| Movie Review: Savages Alternate Title: Family Ties
Story: Cut to the chase - I
loved this movie. Writer and director Tamara Jenkins
has hit a home run with her second film. (Her first effort was the also
terrific, Slums of Beverly Hills). She manages to take the
difficult subject of putting one's estranged parent into a nursing home
touching, authentic, emotional, heart-breaking and tender all at once.
Siblings John and Wendy Savage learn their absentee
father is suffering from dementia and has no one to care for him after
his long-time companion dies. How these two adult children, who have
suffered with their emotional scars of being raised in a dysfunctional
home cope with this situation is the meat of the film. I know it sounds
depressing, but it is not. All of the characters are fully formed, three
dimensional, very familiar and I deeply cared what happened to all of
them. The script is brilliant and Jenkins knows just
how to cut the tension with very funny lines and vignettes. I have seen
the trailer to this film. It is being marketed as a comedy. Do not be
fooled - it is not a comedy at all. What it is - is an almost perfect
cinematic presentation of a very real set of circumstances. I am not sure how a younger audience will take
to this film but if you or someone you know has or is dealing with this
reversal of care-giving scenario you will definitely gain something
from seeing this truly wonderful film. It is about commitment, family, siblings and
being able to grow up and beyond the psychic filial wounds of childhood.
Go - you'll be better for it. Acting: Laura Linney is nothing
short of brilliant as the very flawed Wendy. I thought this was her
best performance to date. Philip Seymour Hoffman never
disappoints and he once again delivers a perfect performance as John.
Philip Bosco as Leonard Savage hits the nail on the
head. His character does not epiphany, show remorse or change. Bravo
to one and all.
Predilection: I like good acting.
Critters: A cat named Genghis is terrific and has
a large role as does the wonderful Yellow Lab, Marley.
Food: Cereal and eggs
Sex Spectrum: Laura Linney's sex scenes with her married
lover are just funny.
Blatant Product Placement: Xanax, Percoset, Zocor
and Tylenol
Soundtrack: A wonderful soundtrack with very funny
tunes by the always fabulous Stephen Trask (Hedwig)
Opening Titles: The opening sequence will knock your
socks off.
Visual Art: The opening sequence is cinematically
brilliant. Kudos to cinematographer, W. Mott Hupfel III.
The detail throughout the film in the siblings apartments and the nursing
home are perfect as well.
Theater Audience: A packed crowd for a snowy Sunday
morning.
Weather: Arizona is hot, Buffalo is snowy.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: It had my attention throughout.
Predictability Level: I was hopeful but was not really
sure how this would end.
Tissue Usage: I welled up a bit at the very last
scene.
Oscar Worthy: Absolutely. Both the acting and writing
deserve nods.
Big Screen or Rental: Big screen for sure. Rent any
of Laura Linney or Philip Seymour Hoffman's films. You can't go wrong.
Length: Under two hours
LOBO HOWLS: 9.25 |