| Written by Jan James Stetter, on 20-05-2007 23:23 |
Media Maven: "Away From Her" Movie Review
The Cincy Chic Media Maven, Jan Stetter, reviews "Away From Her," a story about a couple who faces the decline of a spouse succumbing to Alzheimer’s. Jan lets you know why she thinks it's a prime example of Sundance Film Festival flicks selling out to Hollywood.
"Away From Her"
Julie Christie, Gordon Pinset, Olympia Dukakis Michael Murphy
The Sundance Film Festival just ain’t what it used to be. In the
beginning, with the purest of intentions the festival was to be a venue
to showcase independent films from newcomers and unexposed talent.
Although each year Sundance provides us with eclectic movie choices and
gems like last year’s Little Miss Sunshine; the festival has been
infiltrated with Hollywood influences and big budgets.
Case in point, the film "Away From Her", which is debuting on May 18,
is an example of films selling out to Hollywood. "Away From Her" is a
story about a couple who faces the decline of a spouse succumbing to
Alzheimer’s. It is based on a short story by Alice Munro (The Bear Went
Over the Mountain).
The effervescent Julie Christie plays the victim of this incurable
affliction that expropriates one’s ability to retain memories of
relationships and the coherence of daily living. But it is Canadian
actor Gordon Pinsent, playing Christie’s husband who dominates the
screen in the telling of passion stolen and a life misplaced far too
soon.
This film is a sanitary, white-washed romantic version of love lost.
Love lost not by choice but by a fate that is contrary and
unpredictable. None of us are immune to the harsh realities of tragedy.
Yet, this film promotes an idyllic love story placed in the beautiful
Canadian outdoors. The expanse of this couple’s home and land allows
for captivating moments of bittersweet disorientation by Christie. The
accompanying music is pitch perfect.
There are no complaints with anyone of the key players in this film.
Julie Christie has such a range of expression and beauty. Gordon
Pinsent more than aptly portrays a heartbreaking sense of loss. Olympia
Dukakis as a caretaker in a marriage of similar circumstance is
impeccable. Michael Murphy as her husband whose days at the nursing
home are spent confined to a wheelchair in a permanent display of
dementia is credible.
Yet, the film rings as a romanticized Hollywood version of Alzheimer’s
through the eyes of a lover left behind. Many people have lost loved
ones to the insidious effects of Alzheimer’s. The sense of
powerlessness and decline in people who espoused a zest for life is
devastating for those left to witness this harsh reality. Although easy
to relate to the sense of loss in this movie it still felt contrived in
presenting Hollywood’s beautiful people playing coiffed caricatures. If
only real life would be that harmonious and sanitary. Not enough
dementia and human anger was portrayed to be convinced of the true
sacrifice of losing one’s wife/father/sister/cousin/friend to
Alzheimer’s. It was beautifully done, but cloaked more in romance than
in reality.
Rating: Three Chic Stars
Jan’s Movie Rating System:
5 - Top notch entertainment
4 - Compelling, Heartwarming, Thrilling, Comical
3 - The a) story b) actors c) special effects saved/made this movie.
2 - If you are bored watch it, or wait for DVD
1 - Don’t bother. Too morose, too violent, too blasé, an enigma.
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