When their ailing father begins showing signs of
dementia two estranged, middle-aged siblings must band together to look
after the interests of a man toward whom, thanks to his shoddy
parenting, they are essentially indifferent.
Placing their
own modest lives on hold, the pair are forced to confront the weight of
their unpleasant familial history, the indignities of old age and,
finally, the grim spectre of death.
Sounds pretty chirpy, no?
Whereas The Savages
could have descended into a morass of melancholia, it instead emerges
as a triumphant tale of everyday folk forced to find meaning in the
small things.
As the siblings slowly develop a common
bond, they finally begin to accept the past and try everything in their
power to ensure their father’s dignity as he enters the latter stages
of his life.
Uniting stars Laura Linney and Philip Seymour
Hoffman for the first time, this masterful film elicits powerful,
passionate performances from its two leads and garnered Academy Award
nominations for Linney and director Tamara Jenkins, who also wrote the
screenplay.
Though curiously overlooked at the box
office this engaging, compassionate drama features many moments of
levity, ultimately emerging as a compelling portrait of love and
kinship tainted by human frailty.
DVD Special Features
Not to bad considering the
films niche market, but well worth checking out if you have the time.
Included here is an "About the Savages" featurette as well as several
Extended Scenes to add to the misery!
