Rating: Sizzling Popcorn
According to Health Canada, 8% of Canadians over the age of 65 suffer from dementia while 5% have Alzheimer’s. Every year, dementia costs Canadians over $3.9 million.
Filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Away From Her is the sad story of Grant and Fiona, who have been married for over forty years, as they are face with Fiona’s Alzheimer’s disease. As the couple decides to place her in a retirement home, they find out that Grant will no be able to visit her for the first thirty days so that she can settle in. These thirty days will change their lives and their relationship.
Away From Her, nominated for two Academy Awards, informs us about Alzheimer’s, the difficulties caregivers must go through, and the strain the disease has on relationships. I personally know a few people with Alzheimer’s and it’s sad to see their memory slowly vanish. Some are stuck in a certain time frame, usually many years ago, while others start forgetting how to do many things we do each day, such as brushing our teeth, cooking, etc. It is very sad to see and I don’t know what would happen nor how would I react if my spouse would have this disease and couldn’t remember who I was. It would definitely be difficult to deal with.
With the great acting by Julie Christie (nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress) and the well told story, I definitely recommend this movie as it brings up a sensitive topic that is often not talked about nor seen through film.
Release Date: May 4, 2007
5 Comments, Comment or Ping
Jed
I have watched this beautiful movie for 3 times already, and its powerful message remains. I think Julie Christie was superb playing the title role, same goes with all the cast.
I have close relatives who also suffered from this disease and its about time a movie that deals with the difficulties of adjusting to the loss of memory and over-all of one’s capacity to live is made and appreciated.
Mar 18th, 2008
Jaden @ Screenwriting for Hollywood
I never saw this movie because the title sounded like a love story, which most love stories are usually all the same old dance, so unless they get rave reviews or have a unique angle, I don’t bother.
My friend’s mother just passed away who had dementia. It was whirlwind that happened really fast.
I will have to watch this movie. I have a copy of it, actually, through SAG. It’s too bad I didn’t see it sooner… like I said, the title turned me off.
Thanks for the review.
Mar 23rd, 2008
Jan @ tMF
*waves to Jed and Jaden*
I have not seen this yet either, but I certainly want to especially because of the subject matter. Unfortunately sometime, movie viewers tend to shy away from sensitive and difficult topics like this, and only want to go see light and fun movies. I think that’s a real shame. Don’t mean to get all serious here.
I’m a sucker for a drama that I know will make me cry, LOL. Like many of you mentioned, this must be a devastating disease to have to go through for the person and especially for the family. These movies are important to make I think, because it shows to those afflicted with this disease and their families, that their not alone.
Mar 24th, 2008
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