The Savages (2007)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Tamara Jenkins

Writer:

Tamara Jenkins (written by)

Release Date:

17 January 2008 (Singapore)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Dementia | Midlife Crisis | Magic Realism | Old Man | Aging Parent

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 12 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sun. July 19

4:30 AM

MAX

Cast

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

MPAA:

Rated R for some sexuality and language.

Runtime:

114 min | USA:113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German | Cantonese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R (Approved No. 43278) | Canada:14A | Ireland:15A | Singapore:NC-16 | Germany:12 | Brazil:12 | Sweden:Btl | Hong Kong:IIA | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Argentina:13 | Portugal:M/12 | Finland:K-7 | Netherlands:12 | Australia:M | Canada:PG (Canadian Home Video rating)

Filming Locations:

Buffalo, New York, USA

Company:

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Trivia:

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

Goofs:

Factual errors: Lenny Savage's girlfriend's children claim a prenup-like document prevents Mr. Savage from common law marriage claims on the Arizona home he has been living in for 20 years, however, the state of Arizona does not recognize common law marriage.

Quotes:

Wendy Savage: Are you Simone?
Simone: I am.
Wendy Savage: I'm Lenny Savage's daughter in B26. He has a big red pillow; it's missing.
Simone: Did he have his name on it?
Wendy Savage: And his room number.
Simone: What's it look like?
Wendy Savage: Big. Red. Pillow.

Movie Connections:

References Der blaue Engel (1930)

Soundtrack:

Sentimental Lady

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.