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| Away from Her | 
 enlarge | Director: Sarah Polley
Actors: Julie Christie, Gordon Pinsent, Olympia Dukakis, Michael Murphy, Wendy Crewson
Studio: Lions Gate
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy Used: $3.33
You Save: $11.65 (78%)
New (51) Used (48) Collectible (2) from $3.33
Avg. Customer Rating:  81 reviews
Sales Rank: 6193
Format: Ac-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Subtitled)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 110
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: LGED21795D
UPC: 031398217954
EAN: 0031398217954
ASIN: B000T5O48A
Theatrical Release Date: 2006
Release Date: September 11, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Don't Let This One Slip Away April 6, 2008
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I thought Sarah Polley was wonderful in "My Life Without Me," a splendid and unusual "small" movie. But when I learned she wrote the screenplay for "Away From Her," using an Alice Munro story as the foundation, and directed it - I was stunned. That's because the overriding quality of this movie's style is confidence, and Polley is young and a first-time director. There are no cheap devices to move things along, no mawkish manipulations of sentiment, AFH proceeds at a calm, deliberate pace that is absolutely perfect for its subject matter. Not much is known about Alzheimer's, but this much is clear, the erosion of memory and identity occurs on a timetable unique to the individual - and loved ones are powerless to intercede.
There is little plot to this picture. Fiona and Grant have been married for 40 years and still love one another. Fiona, Julie Christie, is swiftly moving along into dementia, the film begins with her cheerfully putting a frying plan into the freezer. Grant, who feels guilt for past philandering, wants desperately to help but also must deal with his emerging loneliness and grief. Fiona is far more prepared for this transition than Grant is, and takes to life in her specialized care facility almost too readily, developing a nurturing fixation for Aubrey, and forgetting Grant altogether. Is this partially revenge on her part? Is she throwing herself into dementia to pay Grant back for wrongs of the past? We don't know. Sarah Polley has the courage to tell the story, and leave the speculation to us. The story in itself has more than enough grit to carry the day.
Julie Christie, a great beauty and excellent actress, has never been better; this is an absolute showcase for her. There is wisdom and sadness in every breath, but more, acceptance and serenity that far outstrips mere happiness. Amazing work. Gordon Pinsent, as Grant, (a veteran of over 100 films), is deeply compelling, echoing the notion that illness of this sort is always harder on the loved ones than the patient who can slip into madness like a comforting bath. His interactions with Marian, (Aubrey's wife), played by Olympia Dukakis, and Nurse Kristy, Kristen Thomson, are spellbinding. Both women are compassionate but also very clear-eyed about reality. Grant learns much that he needs to learn from them, and we do too. Dukakis and Thomson are exceptionally good.
A relationship that has endured for 40 years, surviving infidelity and strains of every description, is a castle built on shared experience. Fiona is happy with the life she's led, but she also understands that she's leaving it for good. Grant is not so willing to watch that castle vanish, because without Fiona at his side to share the memories, who knows if they're real at all? An exemplary film made even stronger by its complete lack of sentimentality.
 Grace under pressure--but very unrealistic care facility April 5, 2008
19 out of 20 found this review helpful
When Fiona Anderson (Christie) discovers she has Alzheimer's Disease, she opts to go to a nursing home. Her husband, Grant (Pinsent) objects, but she's firm and believes it is for the best. It takes a lot of grace to step away from a 44 year marriage and into a home on your own. Christie's depiction of her parting with her husband is heart-wrenching.
The couple has never been apart for 44 years, but the facility requires that they have no contact for the first 30 days. This is to allow Fiona to settle in. When Grant returns, he's greeted by a stranger who has formed an attachment to another male inmate Aubrey (Michael Murphy).
The story focuses mainly on the older couple, but we see occasional flashbacks of younger times. And Grant rightfully questions whether Fiona has forgotten him after the 30 day separation or if she's punishing him for his infidelities as a young college professor.
"Away From Her" brings into focus issues of eldercare and elder sexuality that many of us might shy away from. The story is treated with grace and compassion and while it could be depressing, is uplifting in many ways.
22-year-old Sarah Polley did an astounding job bringing this cast and story together. She's already a force to be reckoned with and has been since her film debut at 9.
The depiction of the care facility Fiona's committed to is lovely and I wish with all my heart it was so. There are many compassionate and loving people in the eldercare business, but there are also many under-staffed, underpaid and overworked employees as well whose decisions are made by 'bean counters' and staff convenience rather than the welfare of the patient. One solid example of this in the movie is the 30-day required separation for new patients to 'settle in' to the facility. How cruel is that to entrust your beloved family member to a new place without being able to see them and check on their welfare?
Away From Her March 28, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
It followed Alice Munro's short story "The Bear Came Over the Mountain" very well except for the ending. I think the movie's ending was not as plausable as Munro's short story. However, my wife and I watched the movie and were moved by it. It is thoughtfully done. And Julie Christy did not disappoint us.
Beautiful, excellent and so amazingly sad March 12, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I was heartbroken 25 minutes into the movie. I was in tears by the hour. This was a very emotional and intimate film about a couple and what happens when one of them suffers from Alzheimers. Julie Christie and Gordon Pinsent are exceptional in their characters. The cinematography profundly expresses the solitude encountered when one is "going", not yet "gone". Honest and very realistic, the movie is fantastically told. It is a beautiful film that everyone should see.
The Special Features has deleted scenes and audio commentary by Sarah Polley.
Loved it March 10, 2008
If you loved Notebook you will love this movie, a rainy or snowy afternoon with a cup of tea and a cookie, and this movie is a great way to relax and enjoy the day. It has sad moments but thats life right?
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