Review of The Savages (2007) by Jim H — 12 Nov 2010

Technically, this is a strong film, but technicality often doesn't cut it. What it lacks is a character. or characters, to whom we can attach ourselves. At the end, I didn't think that I got to know anybody, and the scenes to which I could connect were scenes for which I did all the work; that is I connected to Jon's monologue about the emotional manipulation of nursing homes because I've been in emotionally manipulating nursing homes, not because the film showed me the gruesome details that Jon and Lenny are privy to.

Also, I wonder if the film bites off more that it can chew. It opens the doors of an abusive father/son relationship, a failed/failing playwright, a researcher wondering if his career is worthwhile, the "dying process" as hospice workers insensitively call it, and reconnecting with a long-lost relative. Each of these themes have had its own film, and the result of shoving all of those themes into this film creates a lack of focus and a feeling of uncomfortable detachment for the audience.

That said, Hoffman, Linney, and Bosco are fantastic. These are actors at or near the top of their game, and I can only wish that the script would've given them a greater chance to shine.