Away From Her: Review

Away from Her is a quiet film, filled with love and life but also a great deal of sadness; in fact, I can't remember the last film with such a melancholy feel to it all. The film announces the arrival of Sarah Polley who, in her directorial debut, has crafted a subtle and moving work that will stay with the viewer long after the final credits have rolled. Despite a methodical pace and straightforward storyline, the film is particularly involving and never dull. Featuring a number of wonderful performances, Away from Her is one of 2007's great small surprises.

Gordon Pinsent and Julie Christie play Grant and Fiona, an aging married couple, who must confront the realities of the horrific effects of Alzheimer's. Fiona, played by the ever stunning Julie Christie, begins the film at the onset of the condition and throughout the film steadily degrades, with Polley's uninterrupted gaze providing the audience with a clear view into how the conditions affects not only the victim but their family as well. Pinsent is spectacular as Fiona's husband Grant, an ex-college professor, who reluctantly places Fiona into an assisted living community under her instructions. Grant is conflicted, as any loving husband would be, but realizes that it is Fiona's wish. One stipulation is that Fiona must live at the community without visitors for a 30 day period, so she can better adapt to the environment. Once again, Grant reluctantly agrees and much to his horror, when he returns to visit Fiona 30 days later, he is unrecognizable to her, just another in long line of faces that move around the grounds each day.


Without Christie and Pinsent providing such strong performances, the film would have fallen flat on its face. However, the two take over the material and imbue the emotional and intelligent script, adapted by Polley from a short story by Alice Munro, with undeniable humanity. The emotional strain that they undergo is palpable and heartbreaking, not only to each other but the audience alike. Guided by Polley surprisingly steady direction, the film soars, telling its intimate human story in an un-manipulative and plain way. Stylistically, the film is plain, which fits the story and setting perfectly. Had Polley been more daring in her style, the narrative would have had to take a back seat. Thankfully, the restrained stylistic mood fits the emotions perfectly, allowing them to move to the forefront, uninterrupted by distracting visuals. This is not to say that it is visually dull, far from it with Polley moving the camera with grace and confidence. It really is a near perfect blend of look and feeling, with neither taking away from the other.

Equally as good is Olympia Dukakis, as Marian, the wife of one of Fiona's fellow patients. During their stay Fiona and Aubrey (Michael Murphy), Marian's husband, develop a relationship as neither have any recollection of what amounts to their previous lives. As a result, Marian and Grant begin a friendship out of Grant's desire to have Marian bring Aubrey back to the hospital (she brought him home due to cost concerns). Without Aubrey, Fiona is miserable, essentially reduced to a bed ridden state. Pinsent brilliantly illustrates the emotions that Grant goes through, toeing the line between anger and frustration.

To call Away from Her a surprise would be an understatement. I don't think anyone would have thought that Polley, who was previously best known for her small role in Zack Snyder's remake of Dawn of the Dead, could have made such a masterful debut feature. It's apologetic honesty, bracing emotions and subtle performances all contribute to what may be the best true indie film of the year, one that will heavily impact viewers, the older and closer to the situation they are.

****