The Savages Review

His two children are Jon (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Wendy (Laura Linney).  Jon is a college professor in Buffalo NY, who has a Polish girlfriend he can't commit to, and is trying to finish a book on the writer and playwright Berthold Brecht.  Wendy works for a temp agency in New York City, where she steals office supplies, submits plays based on her life for grants, and is having a dead-end affair with her married neighbor.  Neither has had any contact with Lenny for many years and both are estranged from him. 

Both of them are self-absorbed and basically unsympathetic figures at the beginning of the film.  However, as the story unfolds, they begin to grow up and see beyond themselves.  Jon finds a low cost nursing home in Buffalo to move their father into.  Unfortunately, Wendy's guilt leads her to try and find a better place.  In a painful interview with another place, Wendy's coaching of Lenny's answers leads to disappointment and recriminations.  Jon guilts Wendy into moving to Buffalo with him to help care for their father.  Lenny, often confused and angry at his impotence, has outbursts of frustration.  At first, he thinks the nursing home is a cheap hotel.  The conversation that occurs when his children tell him it is a nursing home is sad.

Although many parts of the movie are sad and depressing, the viewer actually does come away with a sense of hope.  We watch as both Jon and Wendy take control of their lives for the better and grow to care for more than just themselves.  Hoffman, clearly one of the best actors working today, will likely receive a best-supporting Oscar nod for this year's work.  Not only is he amazing in this movie, but he's also riveting as the cynical CIA agent in Charlie Wilson's War (Gus Avrakotos) and the desperate son, Andy, in Before the Devil Knows You're Dead.  Laura Linney is so good that her portrayals are often taken for granted.  She is a major reason to see this movie.  Her growth as Wendy is well worth the price of a ticket.  She should also get an Oscar nod.

I easily recommend The Savages for its convincing portrayal of aging and the impact it has on the children of the elderly.  The acting performances are wonderful.  The themes of aging and dying are realistic, and although a topic not readily discussed in families, it's a valuable contribution to our dialogue.  And yes, there are even moments of genuine humor leavened throughout the film.