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: 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).

Quotes:

Jon Savage: We're not in therapy now- we're in real life.

Movie Connections:

Features Night and the City (1950)

Soundtrack:

I Don't Want to Play in Your Yard

Meet the Savages

'The Savages' is a humble humane look at a part of life. Tamara Jenkins tells a powerful comedic story of two siblings struggle with their estranged, demented and dying father. For me, the characters are easy to relate to as in Wendy, Jon and Lenny, I recognize many people I know. The story does not have much of an eventful plot. It's more a study of characters and relationship and, as I mentioned earlier, a look at part of life.

The portrayal of the brother-sister relationship by Linney and Hoffman is genuine and strong thanks to the real chemistry. I was reminded of another beautiful movie, 'You Can Count On Me' which also focused on sibling relationships (and also starred Laura Linney but in a completely different role) and it was interesting to compare the older brother-younger sister bond with the older sister-younger brother bond. Both Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman are accomplished actors and it is not surprising that they were great and very natural. Philip Bosco too is brilliant as the demented father but we don't see anything of his character beyond that. The father-children is the third angle of the film and this too is authentically portrayed. The children are in a state of ambivalence about their father who was mean and abusive but whom they also want to help. Among the other performances, relative newcomer Gbenga Akinnagbe stands out.

What i liked most about it is the chemistry between the brothers but even the small moments between the main characters and the supporting ones was quite well shown within a limited screen-time, like the moment between Jon and Cara did display their true feelings and the few moments between Jimmy and Wendy show the impact it has on Wendy. Jenkins shows her good understanding of family relations and brings some of her own experience into the film. The struggle of the two siblings to get noticed, to deal with their own problems and that of their family is one many of us can associate with and it is cleverly shown with a touch of comedy in this genuine funny little film. i wanted to watch this movie at a theatre with a friend but she didn't seem too enthusiastic but I'm glad that I finally caught it. I'm looking forward to watching it on DVD again.