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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: 6047
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:
a haunting tale of love and loss March 10, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
****1/2
Julie Christie gives the performance of her career in "Away From Her," a profoundly moving and beautifully realized film about the tragedy of Alzheimer's. Christie plays Fiona Anderson, a once-vital woman now suffering the ravages of that uniquely cruel disease. As her condition worsens, she and Grant, her husband of 44 years, agree that she must finally move into a facility specifically designed for the care of Alzheimer's patients.
Based on a story by Alice Munro, "Away From her" is more than just the tale of a woman slowly losing herself and her identity in a world of increasing mental oblivion; it is a heartbreaking story of enduring love, as Grant comes to terms with losing his life partner not merely to the condition itself but possibly to a fellow patient with whom she seems to have developed a romantic relationship. Sarah Polley's superb debut script doesn't shy away from showing us the grim effects of the disease both on the person afflicted and the loved ones being gradually left behind. Grant is, in many ways, the focal point of the drama and it is his selfless devotion to the woman he loves that serves as a beacon of hope for what would otherwise be an unendurably depressing story.
Christie and Gordon Pinsent are utterly flawless in their performances and both deserve every accolade that could conceivably be bestowed on them for their work in this film. Without a trace of histrionics or the slightest hint of affectation, Christie conveys the terrifying blankness of a woman forced to exist in her own private hell from which there is no escape, cut off from the people and things that once meant so much to her. Equally impressive is Pinsent's shattering portrayal of a man trying to accept the inevitability of the disease yet, in his own subtle, quiet way, kicking and screaming against that acceptance every step of the way. Olympia Dukakis is also moving as the wife of the man with whom Fiona has forged a relationship, a situation that provides a common ground upon which the two hurting spouses can meet and share their concerns.
Polley displays a remarkable assurance and control in this her maiden effort as a director. She somehow manages to avoid all the potential pitfalls inherent to this type of a story. Though her film is undeniably moving, it never slips over into morbid sentimentality or disease-of-the-week condescension as it so easily might have, thanks, in large part, to the stark and spare way in which she films most of her scenes (the wintry Ontario locale helps immeasurably with this). My one slight criticism of the film is its portrayal of the nursing home administrator, who seems remarkably obtuse in the things she says at times. I don't doubt that such people exist in those positions, but she seems too much of a subtly smiling Nurse Ratched-type to really work in this film. The character tends to throw the equilibrium of the piece out of whack whenever she appears.
Still, this is an amazing movie that certainly should have been nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. Don't miss it.
Julie Christie is luminous March 2, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I am of an age to be a little scared of aging and Alzheimer's and was fairly sure that Away From Her was going to be depressing. It is not. What saves this movie from bathos is the plot twists: the past wounds resurfacing twenty years later and an elegant solution to finding a way to love a wife who barely remembers you. But the reason to watch this movie is Julie Christie. She is utterly believable, alternately radiant and vulnerable, delicate and immensely strong. Christie inhabits Fiona so perfectly is it hard to believe the real Christie is healthy and well. Some reviews have carped that it is not realistic enough about the gritty realities of Alzheimer's which are rarely so graceful as Fiona's decline, or seldom in the comfortable facility she sends herself to. But this is a movie, and Christie makes it art.
Christie lost to La Vie en Rose for the Best Actress Oscar. It is true her transformation is not as dramatic as that amazing French actress (whose name I do not remember). But Christie manages subtlety and brilliance just as magical, using tremendous control to show a woman losing control. The pacing of the movie works perfectly, so that when it slows, it is to inform the audience of patience, love, time, pain and endurance. There is no scene, or scenery, that does not contribute to your understanding of what the movie has to say. Her husband is stoic and patient and loving but with flaws deftly described in brief effective scenes. All of these elements contribute to giving Julie Christie the platform to display her deep and stunning abilities.
 uplifting and hopeful March 1, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
given the subject matter,you might think this film would be
depressing,but i didn't find it so.it's about a husband and wife who
have been married a long time,when they both notice the wife has been
having memory lapses.soon they come to the realization that she has
Alzheimer's disease.the rest of the movie deals with their struggle to
cope.the meaning of the title is explained very early on,and makes a
lot of sense.the acting is superb.that's the one word that comes to
mind.Julie Christie is the wife,Fiona,and is brilliant in her
transformation from loving wife to someone in the advanced stages of
Alzheimer's.the transformation is subtle,as is her performance.Gordon
Pinsent is equally great as Grant,her husband.Olympia Dukakis is also
strong.beyond the performances,the movie itself is very realistic in
how it depicts the people afflicted with Alzheimer's,as well as their
loved ones.it's also very moving,and is uplifting and even hopeful.i
hope Sarah Polley continues to direct,as she has a very great future
ahead of her.for me,Away From Her is a 5/5
Julie Christie Should Have Won the Oscar February 26, 2008
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
Well, the Oscars just happened and Julie Christie lost the Oscar to Marion Cotillard. But Christie should have won. She gives a heartbreaking and haunting performance opposite the wonderful Gordon Pinsent in this excellent movie about a woman with Alzheimer's whose marriage is changed forever by her disease. The rest of the cast is also first-rate. The movie has been directed with skill and sensitivity by actress Sarah Polley, who also adapted the screenplay from an Alice Munro story. It doesn't matter ultimately that Christie lost because we still have her fine performance but more people would probably watch the film if she had gotten the recognition. This may be Christie's last film--she doesn't make many any more--so enjoy it now.
My heartache February 18, 2008
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
I had seen Away from Her on TV, but I wanted to purchase it for our 4 adult children and their spouses. Their dad, my husband has been diagnoised with that dreadful disease. He is in the beginning stages, I wanted them to see what really happens. I took care of my mother in law with the same disease. I think this will be wonders for the children when they 'GET" AROUND to watching it.
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