It is very rare to see a film with a novel plot. Something to say you have never seen a film like this before. There have been films where someone suffers from Alzheimer's but a film where the sufferer strikes up a relationship with someone else in a home and forgetting about her husband. That is different.
Gordon Pinsent gives a quiet, dignified but enthralling performance as Grant, the retired University Professor who travels each day to visit his wife at a care home but feels like a voyeur as Fiona (Julie Christie) gives her affection to wheelchair bound and mute Aubrey (Michael Murphy).
Christie's Fiona is glamorous, used to a fine life, skis cross country, wears nice clothes. She realises that she needs car whereas Grant is reluctant. The important plot point is that care home has a policy where the spouse cannot see patient for 30 days after admission.
This worsens the situation for Fiona and Grant as after 30 days she has forgotten about him and got close to Aubrey. The film deals with Grant facing up to this apparent rejection, is it punishment for past indiscretions he is left wondering.
The film tries to deal with a sensitive subject as well it can. Powerful but subtle acting from Pinsent anchors this film with his Canadian lilt. Christie conveys her character's once glamorous life but you get the feeling that she still looks a little too glam even after a few months at the care home. However she catches the odd moment of confusion and switch to coherence and incoherence that Alzheimer's sufferers have very well.
It is a poignant and touching film. We are left with a scene where for a moment Fiona recognises Grant but we know that this is temporary.
Gordon Pinsent gives a quiet, dignified but enthralling performance as Grant, the retired University Professor who travels each day to visit his wife at a care home but feels like a voyeur as Fiona (Julie Christie) gives her affection to wheelchair bound and mute Aubrey (Michael Murphy).
Christie's Fiona is glamorous, used to a fine life, skis cross country, wears nice clothes. She realises that she needs car whereas Grant is reluctant. The important plot point is that care home has a policy where the spouse cannot see patient for 30 days after admission.
This worsens the situation for Fiona and Grant as after 30 days she has forgotten about him and got close to Aubrey. The film deals with Grant facing up to this apparent rejection, is it punishment for past indiscretions he is left wondering.
The film tries to deal with a sensitive subject as well it can. Powerful but subtle acting from Pinsent anchors this film with his Canadian lilt. Christie conveys her character's once glamorous life but you get the feeling that she still looks a little too glam even after a few months at the care home. However she catches the odd moment of confusion and switch to coherence and incoherence that Alzheimer's sufferers have very well.
It is a poignant and touching film. We are left with a scene where for a moment Fiona recognises Grant but we know that this is temporary.