The Citizen Review " A man goes to the movies. A critic must be honest enough to admit that he is that man." -Robert Warshow

'The Savages' is such a satisfying film all around. When I watched it, I thought of it as the love child of 'Juno' and 'Away From Her' (both great films) The screenplay by Tamara Jenkins is dazzling. It is filled to the brim with quick wit, hilarious monolouges and touchingly poignant moments. I particularly loved the speech given by Hoffman about fancy nursing homes just being a lure to guilty sons and daughters of the elderly, it is a touching a hilarious moment.

The actors on the bill with this film, the fabulous Laura Linney and always-great Philip Seymour Hoffman) are so wonderful they could read the phone book and enthrall us (luckily they have that script I was talking about). The characters they portray are not your everyday middle-aged film characters. What with Wendy, the constantly-lying, pill-popping unsuccessful playwright and Jon, the rough and emotionally mixed theater professor. The picture they paint along with Philip Bosco is truely touching and is not just a movie about old age. It's a movie about deeply cut family wounds that need healing and how they still resonate years later.

"The Savages' opens up with a montage displaying the glossy fantastical look at nursing homes, and how society treats the elderly. But, as the movie unfolds, it shows how society really treats the elderly. The screenplay (written by Tamara Jenkins) is excellent. It has everything you could possibly want. It's witty, poignant, topical and features wonderful characters.

The acting is also excellent. Wendy Savage is played particulary well by Laura Linney. She is so meticulous in creating her character. Her character is a middle-aged women who is confused about finding the right guy and sticking to him (she's having an affair with a married man in his fifties.) She is trying to write a play, she is nearly addicted to pills. She feels guilty about not spending enough time with her father, and lies constantly to get her way. Philip Seymour Hoffman is also great in this movie. His character is a professor at a university in Buffalo, and is writing a book. He is sad that his girlfriend is moving to Poland, and a little envious of her sister. This movie is exhuberantly made, with a witty and poignant screenplay, and wonderful actors. It left me with a smile on my face.

Sincerely,

Jack and Matthew, The Citizen Review