Sunday, February 3, 2008

The Savages: Misnomer of a Movie

If you haven't already read the reviews or seen the trailers, the movie has nothing to do with savages (lowercase "s").

Two grown kids who technically haven't yet grown up have to deal with their infirm father's need for a nursing home.

It's one of the few movies that make it difficult for me to put into words exactly why I like it. Of course, Philip Seymour Hoffman pretty much just has to show up for the shoot in order for me to like most movies he's in. And Laura Linney can lie like nobody else I've seen.

But there's something about how human The Savages is and are, that makes me wonder how I'd act if faced with the same reality.

No matter how arrested your development, when the tables turn and you have to care for the welfare of your own parents, rather than the other way around, it's poignant and scary and funny and personal and impersonal, all at the same time.

Because nearly everyone goes through it. It's just in the dealing with it that we differ.

If we're fortunate, we can do it while forgiving all the slights and slings and arrows, and act out of love simply because we're related by blood.

And maybe in the process become closer to those who are still here with us.

2 comments:

Sid said...

I hope that when I have to look after my parents that I never lose my patience ...

Spandrel Studios said...

Hi, Sid. Never losing one's patience is a noble goal, but I would guess that most people in that situation lose their patience from time to time.

It's all in how you cope with those moments of sadness and frustration, I suppose.