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Rating of
3/4
Showcases Complex Characters
Franz Patrick - wrote on 07/11/2008
This is an extremely enjoyable film because even though the characters are so flawed, one cannot help but care for them because they are multi-layered. It's not that hard to connect with them because we all have our vanities and self-indulgences. Not to mention that some of the most serious times of our lives can also be the funniest when we reflect upon them. Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman are dynamite together. It's so much fun watching two great actors interact because I feel like they strive to top one another after each scene. This is definitely a dark comedy because one can't help but snicker during the serious moments. That tickle that one wants to supress because the characters are miserable is just too delicious to deny. The script is well-written and the tone is …
Rating of
3.5/4
Excellent performances propel a movie for adults
patjohnson76 - wrote on 02/07/2008
One of the most realistic scripts and movies I've seen that deals with the deteriorating health of a parent. Linney and Hoffman play give amazingly real and touching performances as siblings who must suddenly care for their estranged, dying father, played by Bosco. Bosco portrays the senior, demntia suffering father with such realism that at times I wondered if they had really gotten an actor with the disease to portray the character.
As I said, all three lead actors give performances that are extremely realistic. This isn't your typical "dying parent" movie as the cliches you'd expect to see aren't here. My only complaint is that the trailer makes you believe that you're going to see a comedy, which is far from the truth. Regardless of this, I found the script well written and …
Rating of
1.5/4
Quite Savage Indeed
Allison - wrote on 12/08/2007
Laura Linney plays Wendy Savage, someone who looks like the writer/director Tamara Jenkins. She went brunette for the role. She is a psychopathological liar and her brother (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) doesn't like to take responsibility and pushes it all on his sister.
The story is boring and I did not feel for the father character. He's a bastard that never had/has the chance to redeem himself. However, what makes the movie watchable is some good dialog throughout the movie.
The music is absolutely terrible. You've seen and heard it all before. The song Diane Keaton sings in Reds is in the opening credits and Juno's closing credits song also appears in The Savages' closing credits. Also, "Cheek to Cheek" is in the movie.
I kept waiting for some kind of emotional connection, …
