The Savages

The Savages (2007)

  • 89% of critics liked it
    (167 reviews)

  • 72% of users liked it
    (133,985 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… More

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R,
Directed By
Written By
Tamara Jenkins
Genres
Drama, Comedy
In Theaters
Nov 28, 2007 Wide
Fox Searchlight Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Christopher Orr, The 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.

  • Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York

    A goo-free comedy.

  • 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.

Read all 15 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

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

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Jens S


    Sometimes dysfunctional families make us laugh, or even cry. This one could cause a slight depression. When the Savage siblings have to deal with their father in the beginning stages of dementia and see each other more often than they are comfortable with. Considering the names in… More

  • 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

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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