| Overall Grade: |
A |
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| Story: |
A |
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| Acting: |
A+ |
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| Direction: |
A+ |
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| Visuals: |
A |
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Real Life That is Hard to Watch
by Cyndia (movies profile)
Dec 29, 2007
18
of
18 people found this review helpful
For those who are not dealing with a loved one who has Alzheimer's Disease, you may find "Away From Her" to be true to what some such reviewers have said thus far, e.g., "slow", "had no oomph", etc. These are things that are, indeed, in the eye of the beholder, as are most of what people's preferences are about. For me, being involved with the disease on a personal and professional front, it was an outstanding, albeit painful, look at just what happens every day, all over the world. As Fiona says in the film, "I feel like I'm disappearing" and that is exactly what is taking place, month by month, year by year.
"Away From Her" is especially poignant in showing the initial bewilderment by Fiona's spouse, Grant, particularly when he finds his wife intimately relating to another male resident at the nursing home while pretty much ignoring her spouse of 45 years. This bewilderment eventually turns into understanding and acceptance, to the point where he eventually helps this male resident to be re-admitted to the nursing home so that both of the afflicted residents (Fiona and Aubrey, played mutely but powerfully by Michael Murphy) can enjoy their separate worlds with one another. This is a true act of selflessness and love, for it means "letting go" in a way few of us would be able to do, especially when our spouse still looks so good (and Julie Christie looks beautiful throughout, though her increasingly vacant stare tells you the disease is winning over her wellness). It is not a film for everybody, but, for those who are living a parallel life to those portrayed in the film, it is a resounding validation and even a celebration of love winning out over illness. |
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