The Savages
I was very lucky to see a preview of Tamara Jenkins' new film The Savages. It is a top notch film.
The story starts off with Lenny Savage (Philip Bosco) smearing his shit all over the place that he he shares with his girlfriend (in Arizona's Sun City). His home attendant (who doesn't really take care of Lenny) is pissed off. Shortly thereafter Lenny's girlfriend dies and he is about to be evicted by his girlfriend's children. It is apparent that not all is well with Lenny.
His son Jon (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and daughter Wendy (Laura Linney) come from the East Coast to help him out. He is diagnosed with dementia and the siblings decide that it is best that he comes out to the East Coast. Wendy lives in NYC and is a struggling writer. She supports herself by working as a temp. She is having a relationship with a married man. Jon lives in Buffalo where he is a university professor who is obsessed with Brecht. He has a Polish girlfriend who is set to go back to her country. Most of the action takes place in Buffalo.
Although a number of things happen in the film I would say that it is mainly a character study of two siblings. You learn so much about these two people. And they don't necessarily have to say anything. Linney and Hoffman are outstanding and you really have the sense of them being siblings. In fact, I sometimes forgot that I was watching a film. Bosco is also wonderful as the father. I have seen people in a nursing home who act just like Lenny.
After the screening I heard some people say that the film is too depressing (despite having some laughs). Well, it focuses on reality which it just too much for some people to take. The Savages brings up things that we will all eventually have to face. And the film does not take the easy way out. The last scene in the film is very uplifting and I felt that it was a good way to end the film.
I do hope that people will see this film (even though it deals with some heavy things). The Savages is one hell of a terrific film and I highly recommend it.
The story starts off with Lenny Savage (Philip Bosco) smearing his shit all over the place that he he shares with his girlfriend (in Arizona's Sun City). His home attendant (who doesn't really take care of Lenny) is pissed off. Shortly thereafter Lenny's girlfriend dies and he is about to be evicted by his girlfriend's children. It is apparent that not all is well with Lenny.
His son Jon (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and daughter Wendy (Laura Linney) come from the East Coast to help him out. He is diagnosed with dementia and the siblings decide that it is best that he comes out to the East Coast. Wendy lives in NYC and is a struggling writer. She supports herself by working as a temp. She is having a relationship with a married man. Jon lives in Buffalo where he is a university professor who is obsessed with Brecht. He has a Polish girlfriend who is set to go back to her country. Most of the action takes place in Buffalo.
Although a number of things happen in the film I would say that it is mainly a character study of two siblings. You learn so much about these two people. And they don't necessarily have to say anything. Linney and Hoffman are outstanding and you really have the sense of them being siblings. In fact, I sometimes forgot that I was watching a film. Bosco is also wonderful as the father. I have seen people in a nursing home who act just like Lenny.
After the screening I heard some people say that the film is too depressing (despite having some laughs). Well, it focuses on reality which it just too much for some people to take. The Savages brings up things that we will all eventually have to face. And the film does not take the easy way out. The last scene in the film is very uplifting and I felt that it was a good way to end the film.
I do hope that people will see this film (even though it deals with some heavy things). The Savages is one hell of a terrific film and I highly recommend it.
posted by Film Fanatic | 6:17 PM
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