AWAY FROM HER (2006)

TITLE
Away From Her

STARRING
Julie Christie, Olympia Dukakis, Gordon Pinsent, Deanna Dezmari, Wendy Crewson,

THIS MOVIE IS LIKE
Wit, My Life, Cocoon, My Life Without Me

WOULD YOU SUGGEST IT TO A FRIEND
Once married, a movie like this has infinitely more currency. I've long been a fan of Sarah Polley, but American audiences have to look hard for her work. She adapted the screenplay from a popular short story and then directed the film, on what I imagine was a decent Canadian budget and a non-existent American budget. I loved the film. I'd like others to see it, but you have to be a certain kind of person to see and feel your way through this movie. Of all the faculties I'd like to loose least, it is the mind and memory. Away From Her reminds us all of the human potential to grow, love, and adapt.

PROTAGONIST
Gordon Pinsent gives a breathy, tired, old man losing his life's love and stability a human face as Grant Anderson. We don't dislike him initially, but we don't especially want to root for him. He's had an easy go of it. Early in his marriage, he wasn't the best husband. In the present, he's not exactly dealing with the diagnosis of Alzheimer's in his vibrant wife, Fiona, played by Julie Christie, with the delicacy and ultimately, realism it deserves.

FIRST 10 PAGES
Fiona Anderson's memory is fleeting quickly. She sticks a pan in the freezer, her husband returns it to its proper place. She goes cross-country skiing and cannot remember how to get home, her husband comes as gets her. All the while knowing something must be done, but not doing it Grant insists on sparing her feelings and maintaining the status quo.

SITUATION CHANGES (PAGE 15)
Grant can no longer ignore that Fiona has become more than he can care for and researches a home for Alzheimer's patients. The home requires an initial 30 day period without contact and Fiona agrees its for the best. They make love, he leaves, and soon learns what it is like to be on his own with only the memories of their life together surrounding him.

COMMIT TO THE QUEST (PAGE 30)
On day 30, Grant promptly returns to the center for a visit to his beloved, only to find his wife has taken to Aubrey, a patient unable to communicate verbally, but clear in his devotion and appreciation of Fiona. This upsets Grant as he must acquiesce daily to her doting on Aubrey, and cold reception of his affections. He soon becomes a fixture at the center and creates new friendships with staff and patients alike, but never manages to win Fiona over or deal with his resentment for the situation.

CHANGE IS FORESHADOWED (PAGE 45)
Grant watches as his wife celebrates with Aubrey. A savvy teenage grandchild of another patient joins him on the couch and soon learns of his patience with the transition. When she inquires as to why he is not with her, she is touched to learn it is out of genuine love for his wife's well-being that he does not interrupt.

THERE'S NO GOING BACK (PAGE 60)
Aubrey must leave the center because his wife has returned for him and cannot afford to keep him there. This tears his wife's thriving network of fellowship and love apart as he stands by to watch. Though he is there to sweep up the pieces in the aftermath, she is inconsolable. Unexpectedly, the toll of Aubrey and Fiona's separation has negative physical and mental consequences and the center must move Fiona to the second floor where terminal patients reside.

A SECRET IS REVEALED (PAGE 75)
Grant goes to visit Aubrey's spirited, but disgruntled wife Marian, played by Olympia Dukakis. He plots to have Aubrey returned to the center, but discovers that Marian will have to sell her home to accomplish this feat.

ALL BETS ARE OFF (PAGE 90)
Devotion to his wife has never been Grant's strong suit, but rather than risking her life prematurely, he courts Marian, in a last ditch, and eventually successful effort to get her to return Aubrey to the center.

THE END
A touching ending, one of the finest written lately. Grant and Fiona reconnect as if she had never been away from him, but when he asks her of Aubrey, he can see that she remembers hims and longs for him. So he carries out the plan to return him to her. She seems to acknowledge his growth and her gratitude for standing by her. Grant is redeemed.