Phil Mercer

Monday, February 04, 2008

The Savages (Cert 15)

 

This is the tale of a small american family. They have drifted apart, the father Lenny (Philip Bosco) lives with his life partner in a sunny californian OAP idle! The children, Wendy (Laura Linney) and John (Philip Seymour-Hoffman) have moved to the east coast... She an apiring playwright (but now temp!) and he a lecturer in things like Pinter.

Things have to change when Lenny's other half dies and he ends up in hospital with dementia. We follow Wendy and John as they deal with having to look after their father who they had felt never really cared for them during their childhoods, plus also with getting to know each other again.

There are some wonderfully funny scenes, but always with a sad edge to them. Whether it's the knowing looks from Lenny as John and Wendy argue about his decline. Or the siblings attempt to seek help at a support group.

Oscar nominations for Laura Linney - best actress and best original screenplay - Jenkins.

Director: Tamara Jenkins (slums of Beverley Hills)
Writer: Tamara Jenkins
Stars: Laura Linney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Philip Bosco
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Length: 114 minutes

4/5
http://www.foxsearchlight.com/thesavages/

Labels: Film Movie

# posted by Phil @ 10:00 pm

Comments: Post a Comment