Reel Gem: Away From Her
The other type of surprise I'm talking about, other than self-exploration or discovery, is what other people may bring into your life when they commit endearing acts such as sending you a surprise parcel. In a convenience and pace driven era such as now, whereby sending an sms or an email is the norm as opposed to a proper conversation over the phone or a painstakingly hand-written letter, I really feel the loss of the times of indulging in a long phone chat or the enthusiasm of exchanging snail mail. Needless to say, cards (and I don't mean e-cards) recieved have been increasingly scant. Imagine my surprise when I recieved a parcel just a week ago sent by a friend who thinks I ought to see Away From Her (without anymore procrasination). J is an old world type, someone whom I think also believes in the value of written communication and one managed by postal services.
I had wanted to catch Away From Her when it was still showing @ The Picturehouse but for some reason, didn't. This indie film, which is a screenplay adaptation of author Alice Munro's short story The Bear Came Over The Mountain is directed by canadian Sarah Polley (who acted in Go! and Dawn of The Dead). And there are reasons why this film was included in many top movie critics' top 10 films of 2007.
The film begins by introducing us to the protaganists Grant (Gordon Pinsent) and Fiona (the Oscar-nominated Julie Christie) who have been married for 50 years and are currently basking in their golden years, or so it seems. The affection, comfort and understanding they have for each other is acute and tangible, such that one look says it all. Even silence speaks in their presence. Such is the powerful performances that both actors have portrayed...they make old age seems so loving and tender and something to look forward to. However, Fiona is suffering from Alzheimer's disease and as the days progress, her memory deteriorates fast and the couple is confronted with the fact that she would have to seek treatment and care.
Though she can't bear to leave him as much as he can't bear to lose her, Fiona makes a decision, while she is still conscious, to enter Meadowlake a retirement home for Alzheimer's sufferers so as to take the burden off from Grant and lessen his pain of watching her fade away. Grant is devastated at the thought of losing Fiona both physically and mentally but he accepts her decision, hoping for the best. Conversations between the two also hints at an unresolved tension that is the result of Grant previous infidelity but also at the gratitude on Fiona's part that he did not walk away.
After 30 days of not seeing each other due to a hospital's rule, Grant excitedly visits Fiona only to find that she does not seem to recall who he is and has even develop affections for another resident of the home. He is shattered at first but subsequently, it is his devotion and love towards Fiona that helps him to cope. We learn that self-sacrifice is sometimes necessary in order to secure the happiness of someone you love. I will not disclose too much of the plot and I highly recommend you go see it for yourself.
A powerful, inspiring story that shines a spotlight on Alzheimer's Disease, Away From Her is an honest but heart-wrenching take on the plight of sufferers and their loved ones. But the heart of this beautiful movie is how it showcases the essential foundations of marriage and how aging can be beautiful and graceful. Watch out for the brillant cinematography too! 9/10
