The Savages

The Savages (2007)

  • 89% of critics liked it
    (167 reviews)

  • 72% of users liked it
    (132,102 ratings)

A pair of siblings are forced to set aside their discomfort with one another for the sake of their father in this low-key comedy drama from writer/director Tamara Jenkins. Wendy Savage (Laura Linney) is a struggling playwright living in New York City who works a day job to support herself and can't… More

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R, 1 hr. 53 min.
Directed By
Tamara Jenkins
Written By
Tamara Jenkins
Genres
Drama, Comedy
In Theaters
Nov 28, 2007 Wide
On DVD
Apr 22, 2008
Fox Searchlight Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Christopher Orr, New Republic

    Linney and Hoffman are both terrific, and Jenkins's script is pointed and perceptive, but the film's arc is a little flat.

  • Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com

    It's billed as a comedy. You may or may not find much to laugh at.

  • Tom Long, Detroit News

    Powerful, painful and yet unerringly funny as it points out our emotional and physical vulnerabilities, this is a film that finds the humor in tragedy while keeping both omnipresent.

  • John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press

    The Savages not only boasts Oscar-worthy performances from Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney as a self-absorbed brother and sister, its attention to detail makes it sweetly funny and genuine.

  • Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

    The film is savagely funny about the indignities of old age, yet optimistic that it's never too late to have a happy childhood.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

  • Thomas J


    Even with a father with dementia, I could not connect with the story or the characters.

  • Mark W


    Having not experienced any of director Tamara Jenkins' films before, I went into this film expecting something along the lines of "Little Miss Sunshine" in it's supposedly humourous take on a dysfunctional family. That's not what I got but there was still… More

  • Michael S


    Wow, finally got around to seeing this (after years of the dvd collecting dust on my shelf). A superb family drama ripe with the perfect blend of drama, comedy, and sadness. Some of the best work in both the careers of Linney and Hoffman.

  • Jim H


    Technically, this is a strong film, but technicality often doesn't cut it. What it lacks is a character. or characters, to whom we can attach ourselves. At the end, I didn't think that I got to know anybody, and the scenes to which I could connect were scenes for which I… More

  • Tony G


    Great performances? Check. Overwrought, angsty writing? Check. Probably a bit more self-important than it should be? Check.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

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