The Savages

We go to the movies to escape from reality, largely, but what happens when reality in the movies is so real.

This is the case with The Savages a film for those who don't need special effects and a fantasy setting to enjoy a movie.

What you get in this film is a reality check, a frank look at how dementia affects a family and they've cast two of the finest dramatic actors around in Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney.

They play brother and sister Jon and Wendy Savage, whose estranged father has been diagnosed with dementia following the death of his partner.

With nowhere else to go Jon and Wendy must take care of their dad Lenny, played brilliantly by Philip Bosco, and confront their feelings about their past.

The Savages is definitely not a comedy but it is not all grim.

Wendy is in the midst of a midlife crisis, she's single but dating a married man and has temp work while she writes plays based on her childhood.

Jon is a professor and an academic and is much more settled, though also unmarried. He's dating a Polish woman whose visa has expired.

They are both going through the same thing in different ways yet Jon seems to handle it better. Lenny doesn't really know who they are, so it seems, though there is one scene where his kids are arguing and he turns down his hearing aid. It said to me that Lenny was more aware than he came across.

I thought this is was a brilliant film though I do feel the need to see a silly comedy and have a big laugh. I'm a sucker for Linney and Hoffman, who I think are among the best actors right now, but they were outstanding.

Not everyone's cup of tea but it is a very real and very moving story. An 8.5 out of 10.