I think this movie may only appeal to a particular audience, however, the attention to psychological detail is impressive. This film is a very true representation of the common family dynamic taking care of a parent with demensia.
The Savages yet another underrated film, is arguably one of 2007's fine films.
Everything in it is perfect, the direction by Tamara Jenkins is gold. The acting is just wow. Laura Linney deserved her Oscar nom but Marion Cotillard deserved it better. She plays Wendy Savage, a girl who has an affair with an older guy to have a healthy sexual life. Philip Seymour Hoffman on the other hand is just as good. He plays Jon Savage, a college professor who is reluctant in taking care of his ailing father. His performance is in top shape and I haven't had the slightest idea why he didn't get the much praise he deserved in this film. He was darn good.
The script was also excellent. It was dark, moody, grim and it shows you the reality of taking responsibility for one thing. Like it or not, your family stays with you until the end.
The film was genuine, honest and not too Hollywood-ish.
"The Savages" es otra cinta, como "Away from her", que lidia con un tema dificil de manera honesta y real.
En esta historia vemos como un par de hermanos deben enfrentar la enfermedad de su padre, y buscar un lugar adecuado para su tratamiento. No toda la pelicula es deprimente, ya que hay momentos de genuino humor.
Lo que mas destaca son la excepcionales actuaciones de Laura Linney y Philip Seymore Hoffman (quienes son de los mejores actores de su generacion) y la controlada direccion de Tamara Jenkins, quien nunca cruza la linea del melodrama.
It hit a little to close to home for me. It shows the honest truth of how awful it is to go through losing a parent. Hoffman's character is amazing to watch develop and react. It's not as carefree as the preview makes it out to be, but it's still very good.
Sometimes children never grow up, even when they become parents. Maybe the Savages lack of offspring is because they had an unpleasant childhood of their own. Or maybe they believe they will make awful parents, like their own father. Ignoring psychology altogether, maybe they really just don't want them; life is theirs, it's great, why would they want to share it?
Ah but the last suggestion isn't really true, as this understated drama, written and directed by Tamara Jenkins illustrates. Wendy and Jon Savage strive for independence, but it's really about impressing their emotionally-detached father. We know they feel lonely because they do share their lives, whether it be with a married man, a refugee or a welcome pet; it is in an unorthodox and uncommitted fashion, but they have that human need to feel a connection.
Wendy and Jon, masterfully portrayed by the two brilliant actors Laura Linney and Phillip Seymour Hoffman, are suddenly re-united when their father starts writing on walls with his own excrement. He is suffering from dementia, and needs to be re-homed. Jon finds a glum-looking care home, but Wendy opts for the more pleasant 'assisted-living' option. Sibling rivalry is immediately re-ignited, and what makes 'The Savages' a pleasure to watch is observing these two distinct yet quite familiar personalities try to get one over on each other. Linney brings out Wendy's uncertainty and eagerness to please, Hoffman highlights Jon's emotional scars and need to feel superior, and both achieve realistic portrayals with a sensitive poignancy. Acting doesn't get much better.
'The Savages' has been described as a black comedy, but the film is hilarious in the awkward dialogue and situations the characters stumble into, rather than raucous jokes and one-liners. I would dread finding myself in any of the Savages painfully uncomfortable predicaments, but from an objective viewpoint you cannot help to stifle laughter.
Jenkins insists on a rather prolonged closure, but the picture ends on just the right note; optimistic, certain and true. The film initally seems an observation of family and relationship dynamics, but really it is about moving on from past conflicts and finding resolve in our own lives. Sometimes, however difficult, there is the need to accept people will never change, and an overload of guilt does little to help matters.
'The Savages' is drenched in pathos and realism, and is all about the two leading characters. It is bleak yet uplifting, and in a strangely honest way, life affirming. It doesn't seem so on the surface, but Jenkins is basically telling the audience to get on with living and stop worrying about the miniscule. Easier said than done, but in this world of organisation and routine, she has a point.
A quality film. Unlike Cody, I wasn't afraid of it going sappy as much as I was afraid of it going too broad with the comedic situations or reactions, but they always played it real. Great performances by PSH and Linney.
I enjoyed this film for 2 reasons the acting and the subject matter. I have never seen a film that is souly about dealing with a elder parent that isn't a comedy. The acting is top notch all around and I was impressed that the film didn't have any typical sappy moments hwere everyone cries and make-up. The only problem I have with the film is its not a film made for repeat viewing.
The Savages brings together two of the most talented actors and seeing them work of each other is a true treat. Linney and Hoffman are great intheir roles showing a true human perspective. You cannot help but be touched by the storyline and the acting, special note to Philip Bosco who pours himself into the role of 'Dad'. The Savages will also leave you questioning your own route to old age.
This story about a man and his estranged son and daughter is interesting. It shows what happens when someone has dementia, as well as deals with self-esteem issues of the entire family and other personal issues. Funny and surprising moments.
The Savages made me laugh and cry...loved it! Most of us will have to go through the care of an elderly parent in our lives. John and Wendy Savage, brother and sister played by Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney were a perfect fit. Had to laugh when John says to Wendy, "We're not in therapy right now, we're in real life!".
A dramatic comedy on life, family, guilt and regret. Sometimes you don't know if you should laugh or cry. Hoffman is a versatile actor (Did you see Capote?), but I prefer him in roles like this one: grumpy, nonchalant and of course funny. Linney and Hoffman complement each other in this film, and Bosco does a terrific job as the demented dad.
this is a wonderful film about a bitter film. phillip seymour hoffman and laura linney are wonderful as brother and sister who havent seen each other and both dont love their father and hate their mother for abandoining them. Now they get a call is told they must come and get their father and take care of him themselves. This forces brother and sister to meet again after not seeing eacxh other for a few years and come to terms with theirfrustrations with a father that never loved them.
A good film that has a terrific script, wonderful performances from its cast and great bits of humor. The sibling relationship between Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman is excellently authentic.
i was very impressed by Laura Linney's performance. there were enough unexpected moments to make this one stand out from other growing old/dying/dysfunctional family dramas, but nothing too profound. i wish they would have shown a bit more of Buffalo...
It was great to see two of my fave actors (Linney and Hoffman) together portraying the messiness and complications of being family. Plus my friend's brother is in it!
I don't feel there's really anything wrong with this movie. Before I started it, I noticed it was 114 minutes long and got worried that it might be a little long-winded, but the time absolutely melts away. The movie flows effortlessly, due largely in part to its fantastic dialogue and dynamic lead performances. Laura Linney buoys the movie with the presence of a good-natured woman turned slightly sour; Philip Seymour Hoffman, in a turn as a schlubby intellectual realist, gives a performance ten times better than his masturbatory sleepwalking in Charlie Wilson's War. They are perfect examples of complex people, burdened by neuroses but trying their best to be generally decent humans.
Their father was a dick. He has seemingly tender moments, but the movie subtly suggests that things were less serene in the olden days. Are Wendy and Jon's struggles to find him a decent place to stay an outlet for coping with personal demons, or are they really trying to bid the man a little kindness? They don't owe him much, and they know it. But Wendy's a woman of no self-esteem, and Jon doesn't have much to look forward to in his personal life. The movie knows that people often help others with external altruism, but have intrinsic motives. In the end, I wasn't really sure of either of the siblings' aims. I think they did it both in goodness and for their own needs; two birds with one stone.
The genius in finding this balance is that it strengthens these characters massively. They are good people, but also vulnerable and flawed, and that makes them endearing to a fault. The Savages is much darker and more dramatic than the comedy it's been billed as, but that doesn't make it any less of a movie. As a character study, for anyone who's lost a parent or loved one, for fans of these two actors, this film is well worth seeing.
Jeg finner nesten ikke nok godord å skrive om denne og derfor bestemt meg for å heller la karakteren snakke for seg selv. Det jeg kan si er at det er utrolig forfriskende å se noen gjøre en film om et svært aktuelt tema som mange av oss desverre må gjennomgå men samtidig klare å gjøre det hele morsomt. "The Savages" er aldri preikende, du blir ikke tvangsforet andres meninger og det finnes ingen "happy ending", som det svært sjeldent gjør her i livet. Filmen har også nok en fantastisk prestasjon fra en av våre nåtids beste skuespillere, og en av mine favoritter; Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Men her burde de fleste involverte nevnes, for det finnes ikke et eneste svakt ledd her. Uten tvil en film jeg vil sette meg ned med på nytt, snart.
Very good, not laugh out loud funny, but still had its humorous moments. Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney do extremely well as does Phillip Bosco. One of the most outstanding features of the film was how realistic everything was. Some may not like this approach and may disappoint if they want to see a typical ?movie? but I found it very rewarding. With my own grandfathers experiencing Alzheimer?s and Parkinson?s I found the experiences very lifelike and some of the scenes very affecting.
This finally arrived in Australia in late July this year after it was released in the US a few months back. I was so angry with the delay but thankfully, it was well worth the wait. The Savages delivers.
It was something about the trailer that caught my eye, I don't know what it was but in a positive way, it had some sort of an independent feel to it, an artsy feeling. But it also looked a bit cliched with the similar scenerio where a dysfunctional family reunites with a tragic event...well something along those lines. So I didn't really know what to expect although I did have high anticipations.
From the very start it throws us with a very strong analysis of characterisation. It does make itself look like an art-house film at first, with a dark theme and complex plot. But once, things are settled in, the film is quite a literal journey.
Laura Linney does such an awesome job of playing borderline lunatics. My disdain for Hoffman didn?t even steer me away from liking this movie. It?s a great character driven drama and if you like movies that really capture a character and delve deep into the reasons behind behaviors, you?ll enjoy this.
i can see what they are trying to do with this script... tryin for the little ms sunshine / juno indie feel flick in which the whole cast are mentally unstable and by the end of the film all is well in the world. id rather watch either of the others. though i do enjoy PSH when he is pissed off and shouting.
MCT:October 8, 2008
MCT:September 28, 2008
MCT:September 22, 2008
MCT:August 13, 2008
MCT:August 10, 2008
MCT:August 5, 2008
