The Savages

The Savages is a 2007 American black comedy-drama film written and directed by Tamara Jenkins. It stars Laura Linney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Philip Bosco.Wendy Savage (Linney), a struggling playwright, has little to do with her brother, Jon (Hoffman), a college professor and author. However, the siblings must find a way to work together when their father, Lenny (Bosco), slides into senility and must be placed in a nursing home.First things first: The performances seen here are delicate forces of nature that intertwine in ways that are grounded in reality. Linney holds her own as a character that is struggling with a life that is far from being remotely charmed; the longevity of her delivery and demeanor makes the intermittent provocation of her insecurities and feelings of self-doubt poignantly tangible throughout this film’s entirety. Easily flying under the radar, ‘The Savages’ also distinguishes itself as a pheromonic composition of Hoffman’s wide range of abilities and his emotionally intuitive execution; he knows how to dominate scenes without stealing them or putting other actors on set at risk of their contributions being unheard, unnoticed, and invalidated (May he continue to rest in peace 😞😞😞).Given its description and first impression it's fair to go in with the assumption that ‘The Savages’ intends to have a story as it relates dementia and aging taking center stage. Anodyne and honest - The conversations and behaviors throughout highlight the sometimes merciless reality of the human experience without mocking its subjects or being crudely pejorative. It also acts with an obvious sense of self-awareness in that it manages to sneak in slivers of humor (And I’m talking chuckle worthy humor) but avoid being unnervingly callous or inappropriately pretentious. It is perhaps noted best of all that the diagnosis, prognosis, and development of Dementia (A serious condition that approximately 7.7 million people get newly diagnosed with a year) are actively, passively, and inclusively explored through all of the characters - including the father - in a way that implies that no two patients with Dementia are alike in regards to their needs or services required.With this in mind - for how much this film tries to sell itself as being about the relationship about these children with their father there's very little overt elaboration regarding the feelings that Wendy and John have about their father; this makes engaging with the primary subject material a bit more laborious than expected. If I step outside of my own limited experience with dementia ( I don’t know anyone personally that has been formally diagnosed with it to my knowledge), however, I can confidently say that it can very clearly resonate with individuals that are not as lucky in me in this respect. As a consequence of this ‘The Savages’ successfully solicits empathy and transitionally infused heartbreak from audience members that are willing to read between the lines with deep seated enthusiasm and poise.All that said - the relationship between the primary pair of siblings and the involution of their separate realities has no target audience. Brief moments that insinuate some varying degrees of abuse are leveled with scenes that silently speak on the residual effects of trauma long after their immediate effects; more than that, it substantiates and encapsulates the large variety of ways in which individuals grow into their own as a way of coping with wounds that very seldom can be seen on the surface.Ending on a relatively optimistic note ‘The Savages’ is a testament to the importance of letting go of others and the pain their memory evokes and creating an identity that actively and constructively contemplates the past, the present, and the futureI would recommend!

We acquired The Savages because of the caliber of actors, thinking all along that it was a comedy. As soon as the movie started, we realized we were in for a surprise for the plot centers around rather serious issues that many family members confront:1. Death of parents2. Responsibility to elders3. Serious illness4. A demented parent5. Placement of a loved one in the care of others6. The quality of care provided for the elderlyIt is difficult to express the feelings surfaced by The Savages as we witnessed brother and sister trying to care for a father, diagnosed with dementia, who failed to be loving or caring to them. The father is alone because his life partner dies and her children don't want the responsibility of caring or providing shelter for him.From the outset, the movie will shock viewers with the crude reality of mental health issues confronted by the unfortunate individuals who suffer dementia. The acting is superb. Wendy, played by Laura Linney is the lonely play writer sister who has terrible relationships because she does not want the commitment to developing a family of her own. Jon, masterfully played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, is the brother who also can't commit to a relationship, living in an apartment that is so cluttered that when his sister visits and he offers the couch, which is covered with magazines and school papers, we hear her cynical comment: "what couch?"The range of emotions displayed brought us to laughter, being upset, understanding the guilt and anger felt by the siblings, empathy and finally we were happy to see the transformation, the catharsis experienced by the family members as they learn much about themselves from the experiences shared.Not an easy movie to watch, but an excellent view as to real human drama. A poignant film, don't miss it!

Many of reviewers called this a coming of middle age movie. That's probably the best way to put it. The major theme for me was that the characters played by Laura Linney and Phil Hoffman need to accept the reality of aging. In particular, they need to understand that they can't really begin to live until they put the past behind them. Many of the jokes about how retirement communities try to make their clients feel younger are effective. Brother and Sister Savage think they're getting older. In reality, they're getting better.The whole idea of relinquishing the past to get on with the future isn't new, but Tamara Jenkins's script is very sharp, and Linney and Hoffman are perfectly matched as the cock-eyed optimist and the Gloomy Gus. They can't stand each other, but they need each other. Phil Bosco is excellent, too.

This is a film that confronts life issues & family relationships in a way that feels real and recognizable. It's a study of human nature, examining a not-so-functional relationship between an adult brother and sister who still have some growing up to do. As they are forced to deal with an aging father experiencing dementia, a lifetime's worth of "issues" rise to the surface between them. Can they get beyond those issues and become real adults, to face a more hopeful future? Judge for yourself. Excellent cast, starring the one and only Philip Seymour Hoffman. He is paired with Laura Linney. Sensitive issues are raised, but they are handled by the writer-director, Tamara Jenkins, with the perfect mix of humor and compassion. A worthy film. Don't miss it!

this is life, at least a part of it. We have parents that grow older. We have our busy lives in the meantime. Parents get sick, they cannot take care of themselves anymore, while our lives go on. What to do with our parents? What to do when they even do not recognize we are their sons and daughters?This is the story of this movie, anyone who went through similar situation will sympathize with the acting and words of the main actors here. This is not a typical US movie, I would rather call it "European": acting is minimalistic, the insight is maximum - as typical of Sundance production.Highly recommended, but do not expect to have a fun viewing.

I enjoyed this as it is a well written and acted film about what happens when a family member has ever worsening dementia. Having experienced this twice I could empathise with the problems and felt it was written in a very down to earth way without romantically making everything too happy. The bit about the dog was lovely!

Superb bitter-sweet look at flawed inept children's attempts to deal with their last parent's inevitable exit, and their own neurosis about trying to be the adults.Beautifully directed - tick!Expertly acted - tick!Exquisitely written - tick!A favourite of mine.

I bought this after hearing about the death of the late great Philip Seymour Hoffman .To me he was the character he played , not just an actor playing his part ,as were all of his performances . A beautifully acted movie ,a very sad story ,beautifully handled . If you only buy this one movie as a tribute to a brilliant actor , make it this one.

Extraordinary tale of two siblings thrust into caring for a parent with dementia. An education on how lives have to change when caring comes into it.