Away From Her

The first 30 minutes or so of this movie were a bit too Lifetime movie of the week for me at times. But the last hour was really good.

The first 30 minutes shows Julie Christie's Alzheimer's getting worse and it is set to an annoying soundtrack and not very effective direction by first time director Sarah Polley.

The last hour is about Christie's character (Fiona) in a rest home and how her husband deals with the aftermath. The fact that Fiona falls in love with another patient in the home makes the film that much more interesting. The direction and the flashbacks and the soundtrack and everything about the movie got better after the very beginning.

Julie Christie was amazing. Gordon Pinsent who played her husband was understated and also quite good as he proves he will try to do anything he can to ensure his spouse is happy even if it causes him extreme personal pain.

Watch this and The Savages back to back and vow to never get old.

Directed by Sarah Polley
2007
DVD