Review of Away from Her (2007) by Daniel K — 01 Feb 2010

3: Superb performances and a very moving story. Julie Christie is particularly impressive, but the entire cast knocks it out of the park. Sarah Polley really has made an excellent film, even if the subject is quite difficult.

She isn't afraid of keeping the pacing slow and steady, limiting the music, and focusing on pain despite its relative lack of entertainment value. I didn't enjoy it as much as I was hoping I would, but that's perhaps simply because it isn't the type of picture I usually love.

It is singularly focused on the pain of ageing, and in particular the pain of ageing with Alzheimer's. It isn't exactly a hopeful, comforting, or upbeat story, but it is relatively powerful. At some point, happy endings or good choices aren't really possible.

I particularly enjoyed the skiing scenes, although they're really just walking on skis.