The Savages

The story of a couple of dysfunctional siblings struggling to come to terms with the need to care for their elderly father who never really cared for them might sound like pretty heavy going. But it would be a mistake to let that put you off, because The Savages is really a very good piece of film-making from writer-director Tamara Jenkins.

She is aided by a cast that includes two of business' most consistent actors in Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Hoffman plays Jon Savage - a lecturer specialising in Brecht who won't marry his longterm girlfriend despite the fact that her visa is about to expire and force her to return to Poland. Linney plays his sister Wendy - an aspiring playwright working as a temp and having an affair with a married man. Linney's performance is fully deserving of her Oscar nomination. Hoffman's is his third great turn in a month of releases and perhaps the best of the bunch. His Oscar nominated turn in Charlie Wilson's War is maybe the more memorable character, but this is a much subtler and more nuanced act. Philip Bosco as their increasingly confused father is also excellent.

However, the real star here is the (also oscar nominated script) from Jenkins - successfully treading a fine line between the comedy and the tragedy of the situation - there are both moments of pathos but also of humour. Her characters are rounded individuals - neither saints nor sinners, neither entirely likeable nor entirely unlikeable. Motivations are mixed, torn between duty and self. The past is alluded to, but not dwelt on. Here is humanity in all its weaknesses and insecurities, but not without hints of goodness.

Overall - 4/5. A difficult subject handled with an intelligence and subtlety that keeps it from being either depressing or heartless, aided by some first class acting makes this well worth watching.