This award-winning Canadian production skilfully directed by Sarah Polley is a successful adaptation of Alice Munro’s short story “The Bear Came over the Mountain”. It is the story of couple married for 50 years who suddenly have to experience Alzheimer’s, its process, and collateral damages to both parties.
This is Julie Christie’s most memorable performance in 40 years and she is very convincing as Fiona, the main patient. There are not too many Hollywood types these days who would allow cameras to realistically show their actual age on film. Hers is a muted, but effective, eloquent performance. Gordon Pinsent is perfectly cast as her long-suffering professor-husband who has been far from perfect. He captures the nuances of pain from his wife’s taking up with one of the other patients played by Michael Murphy in his quietest roles ever. Olympia Dukakis plays a convincing wife of the Murphy character, struggling with her own adjustments in tandem with Grant (Gordon).
The film surprises toward the end with its unexpected events after Fiona is committed to the second floor and Grant is revived by new love. I should also add that Wendy Crewson is an effective foil as the sympathetic aide who advises Grant in the facility scenes. And that the women’s feelings and characters are poignantly and realistically portrayed throughout by Polley.
Both Christie and Pinsent could easily have gotten and deserved Best Supporting Actor and Actress Awards. Highly recommended especially in the 2 disc Mongrel Media DVD set which has several interesting extras. If you are looking for a contender as one of the Great Canadian Movies, then 2006’s Away from Her would be the most recent one and is very educational with no-holds barred.