Review of The Savages (2007) by Natacia K — 17 Aug 2009

Part hilarious, part dramatic, The Savages tells the story of two siblings who are obliged to care for their estranged father in his last days. Interestingly enough, much of the reason for the animosity the two shared for their father is only told to us via hints and expositions. However, that they are not pleased with their sudden responsibility is evident, and most fascinating is how the two siblings differentially deal with it. While Jon wishes to distance himself as much as possible from his father and only fulfill the needed duties, Wendy harbors some hope that her relationship with her father can still be salvaged. The two siblings are as different as chalk and cheese - Jon is the rational, thinking type while Wendy is the emotional, impulsive one. Their relationship with each other itself is complex layers upon layers of affection, sibling rivalry and differences in outlook. It was most poignant how, over the course of the movie, both Wendy and Jon come to peace with their own baggage from the past, as well as take the necessary steps toward happiness.

Laura Linney is fantabulous. She brings out the vulnerability in the neurotic Wendy in the most amusing way; a lesser actress would have made Wendy annoying, but in her hands, she's far from that. Philip Seymour Hoffman does the deadpan very well. The sibling chemistry between these two was awesome. Philip Bosco really is most convincing as the ailing father with a touch of the eccentric and rude.