Film Review

09 January 2009 02:24 BST

Away From Her

Directed by Sarah Polley, in cinemas now, starring Julie Christie, Gordon Pinsent and Olympia Dukakis running time 110 minutes.

In a nutshell…

A tale of making amends.

What's it all about?

When early-onset Alzheimer's takes hold of his wife, Grant has to learn to cope with her institutionalisation.

This becomes increasingly difficult when she transfers her affections to another patient in her care home, Aubrey.

Aubrey is a wheelchair-bound mute, whom "doesn't complicate" Fiona and has a positive effect on her condition.

To make matters worse, as her mental state worsens it is the memories of the rocky early years of her marriage that Fiona is left with.

Consequently, Grant is faced with a dilemma as his dedication to his wife is tested.

Will he be able to put his Fiona's well-being before his own feelings, and even their marriage, or will he end up as he never wanted to be – away from her?

Who's in it?

This is an outstanding directorial break-through for actress-turned-director Sarah Polley, who is just 28. She reveals Fiona and Grant's story, at first, through a fragmented sequence of events, which reflects Fiona's state of mind.

However, it is veteran actress Julie Christie who lends star quality to the picture. A pop icon from the "swinging 60s" Christie has starred in Doctor Zhivago, appeared opposite Richard Gear in American Gigolo and, more recently, in Finding Neverland.

Gordon Pinsent is a more low-key casting choice by fellow Canadian, Polley. He has previously starred in The Shipping News, with Cate Blanchett, as well as in Lydia and The Rowdyman.

Olympia Dukakis, who picked up an Oscar in 1988 for her performance in Moonstruck, also puts in a star turn.

As an example…

Fiona: "I think all we can aspire to in this situation is a little bit of grace. "

Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars

This film has already been nominated for two Oscars – best performance by an actress and best adapted screenplay.

Christie's performance was also nominated at the Baftas – and rightly so. Her portrayal of Fiona is delivered with equal measures of vacancy, determination and sheer confusion and is a hot favourite to pick up a golden statue on the big night.

What the others say

"It is a deeply-impressive and intelligent film about Alzheimer's." - Peter Bradshaw, Guardian

"This is a difficult watch…45 fairytale years of marriage are forgotten in an instant." - James Christopher, Times

So is it any good?

Though undoubtedly a touching and worthy piece of cinema, full of complex, underlying emotional issues, it moves at a very slow pace.

Its subtlety will be the making of it for some viewers and its downfall for others, who will end up feeling impatient with the lack of action they are given over 110 minutes.

For those who are engaged, the question mark hovering over Fiona's motivations for her relationship with Aubrey and Grant's friendship with Aubrey's wife will keep them silently transfixed.

Questions of forgiveness and memory, not just relating to Alzheimer's, are also cleverly woven into the plot, which many married couples will be able to relate to.

Whether or not this film is your cup of tea, you cannot fail to be moved by Grant's dedication to Fiona nor the tight grasp that Alzheimer's exerts over its victims.

8/10

Jenni Marsh

Test your film knowledge and win...