Hype: The only thing I know about this movie is that it stars Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman and that the reviews for it were outstanding. I am really starting to enjoy Hoffman and I felt like he had a great year with this movie, Before the Devil Knows Your Dead and Charlie Wilson's War. Laura Linney is usually a joy to watch. I don't really know the plot to The Savages, so lets see if I enjoy it.
Initial Review: The Savages is about Wendy and Jon Savage played by Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Wendy and Jon are siblings that are placed in charge of their father, who is suffering from dementia, after his girlfriend passes away. Jon and Wendy's childhood was not the greatest and they hold a lot of grudges against their father. Besides dealing with their dying father, Wendy and Jon must also deal with the other struggles going on in their lives. Wendy is sleeping with a married man and is a struggling playwright. Jon is a college professor working on a book and has a girlfriend from Poland who's visa has expired. Jon and Wendy must rely on each other to get through this difficult time in their lives.
I thought this movie was really fun to watch and I thought Linney and Hoffman were absolutely amazing. The only thing I really had a hard time with was understanding what the characters were going through. Since I am only in my 20s I have not had to deal with putting my parents in a nursing home. Aside from that you can really feel the struggle that Jon and Wendy are going through and can see how they both truly care about each other and need each other to survive. The brother-sister bond is really strong and important to this film.
Once again Hoffman steals the show. Over the last couple years it's been really hard to find a film starring Hoffman that is not a joy to watch. There is one scene in particular that is a joy to watch. Hoffman is stuck in a head sling that requires his head to be supported by 18 pounds of water and Linney's character gives him some food to eat and you can just see the struggle on his face. Linney did an outstanding job playing a character that is really unhappy in life and tries to hard to bring stability to it.
The Savages was a pleasure to watch. If you are a fan of Philip Seymour Hoffman you will not be disappointed. I highly recommend renting this movie, you will be glad you did.
Repeat Viewings: N/A
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