The Savages (2007)

A sister and brother face the realities of familial responsibility as they begin to care for their ailing father.

Director:

Tamara Jenkins

Writer:

Tamara Jenkins

Stars:

Laura Linney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Philip Bosco

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 15 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Laura Linney	...	Wendy Savage
Philip Seymour Hoffman	...	Jon Savage
Philip Bosco	...	Lenny Savage
Peter Friedman	...	Larry
David Zayas	...	Eduardo
Gbenga Akinnagbe	...	Jimmy
Cara Seymour	...	Kasia
Tonye Patano	...	Ms. Robinson
Guy Boyd	...	Bill Lachman
Debra Monk	...	Nancy Lachman
Rosemary Murphy	...	Doris Metzger
Hal Blankenship	...	Burt
Joan Jaffe	...	Lizzie
Sage Kirkpatrick	...	Real Estate Agent (as Laura Palmer)
Salem Ludwig	...	Mr. Sperry

Storyline

Jon and Wendy Savage are two siblings who have spent their adult years trying to recover from the abuse of their abusive father, Lenny Savage. Suddenly, a call comes in that his girlfriend has died, he cannot care for himself with his dementia and her family is dumping him on his children. Despite the fact Jon and Wendy have not spoken to Lenny for twenty years and he is even more loathsome than ever, the Savage siblings feel obliged to take care of him. Now together, brother and sister must come to terms with the new and painful responsibilities with their father now affecting their lives even as they struggle with their own personal demons Lenny helped create.

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Plot Keywords:

dementia | nursing home | arizona | writing | professor | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality and language

Details

Official Sites:

Fox Searchlight [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English German Cantonese

Release Date:

17 January 2008 (Singapore)

Also Known As:

La famille Savage

Filming Locations:

Buffalo, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$151,859 (USA) (30 November 2007)

Gross:

$6,610,326 (USA) (25 April 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Searchlight Pictures, Lone Star Film Group, This Is That Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jon (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is older brother to Wendy (Laura Linney). In real life, Linney is older than Hoffman.

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Goofs

Jon Savage drives his Polish girlfriend to the airport at 6:30 AM, in broad daylight. But in November in Buffalo, it would be pitch dark at this hour (even on November 1, sunrise isn't until 7:46).

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Quotes

Student: What is the difference between plot and narrative?

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Episode dated 1 December 2007 (2007)

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Soundtracks

"Sentimental Lady"
Written by Bob Welch
Performed by Bob Welch
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

User Reviews

Well done!

This film, along with "Away from Her" are the best elder-films I've seen all year (2007).

There is an honesty to the movie about a brother and sister relationship that is genuine and heart warming. Philip Seymour Hoffman (Jon, the professor) and Laura Linney (as Wendy, aspiring playwright)are perfectly cast in the roles of the sister and brother who have to deal with their obnoxious, foul-mouthed elderly father, Lenny, played by Philip Bosco in a riveting performance.

Their childhoods have been difficult, abuse is hinted at along with a runaway mother. They are now confronted with the care and responsibility of their father who has been deemed incompetent (and penniless). The effects of their childhood on these now adult children is played out well. They are incapable of intimacy with potential partners and even with each other.

How they slowly gain an understanding of themselves and each other is an ongoing major thread of the movie and is beautifully depicted. A one of a kind sibling movie. 9 out of 10. Recommended.