Ten Movies About Alzheimer

Ten Movies About Alzheimer's Disease You Shouldn't
Miss
The 2008 Oscar nominations include two Best Actress nods for performances in
movies that deal with Alzheimer's disease. Here are ten movies you shouldn't miss
that handle the difficult subject of Alzheimer's with grace, dignity, and realism.
1. Away From Her (2007)
In Away From Her, Julie Christie is Oscar-nominated for Best Actress for her
portrayal of Fiona, a woman with Alzheimer's who voluntarily enters a long-term care
facility to avoid being a burden on Grant, her husband of 50 years. After a 30-day
separation (recommended by the facility), Grant visits Fiona and finds that her
memory of him has deteriorated and that she's developed a close friendship with
another man in the facility. Grant must draw upon the pure love and respect he has
for Fiona to choose what will ensure his wife's happiness in the face of the disease.
Christie has already won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture
(Drama) for her performance in this movie.
2. The Savages (2007)
Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman play siblings in this tragic comedy about
adult children caring for a parent with dementia. Laura Linney is Oscar-nominated for
Best Actress, and Tamara Jenkins is Oscar-nominated for best original screenplay. A
rare combination of humility, dignity, and humor, Philip Seymour Hoffman was
Golden Globe-nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) for
his performance as the neurotic professor who begrudgingly unites with his sister for
the sake of their father.
3. Aurora Borealis (2006)
Donald Sutherland and Louise Fletcher steal the show in this movie about
relationships and difficult choices. Sutherland plays a grandfather with dementia who
requires more care than his wife (Fletcher) can handle. They enlist the help of a
home health aide (Juliette Lewis) and their grandson (Joshua Jackson), who forge a
friendship as Sutherland's character -- who insists he can see the Northern Lights
from his window -- becomes increasingly impaired. It was considered a well-crafted
independent film that was released under the radar.
4. Sundowning (2005)
Sundowning follows the rivalries and bonding of three generations of lobstermen on
Little Stone Island, Maine. When the grandfather and patriarch, Tobey (Minor
Rootes) develops dementia, his son and grandson must learn to care for him while
maintaining their livelihood. As they both fall for the female neighbor who cares for
Tobey, they must let go of their deep-rooted rivalries and accept that her closeness
with Tobey is actually a blessing. This little-known movie has received excellent
customer reviews.
5. The Notebook (2004)
Based on Nicholas Sparks' best-selling novel of the same name, The Notebook features
James Garner as Noah, the loving husband of Allie (Gena Rowlands), who is in a nursing
home due to Alzheimer's disease. He attempts to rekindle her memories of their long
history by reading to her from his notebook. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams play
the couple in their younger years. Described as a true romance, the movie was directed by
Nick Cassavetes, son of Gena Rowlands.
6. A Song For Martin (2001)
Sven Wollter and Viveka Seldahl -- married in real life -- play married couple Martin and
Barbara in this Swedish movie with English subtitles. Martin is a conductor and
composer; Barbara, a violinist. They meet and marry in middle-age, but soon after, they
find out that Martin has Alzheimer's disease. This moving story is considered one of the
most realistic depictions of caregiving on film.
7. Iris: A Memoir of Iris Murdoch (2001)
Based on the book Elegy for Iris by John Bayley, this movie tells the true story of English
novelist Iris Murdoch's descent into Alzheimer's disease and the unconditional love of
Bayley, her partner of 40 years. Jim Broadbent won an Academy Award and a Golden
Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Bayley in his later years; Judi Dench
and Kate Winslet received both Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best
Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively, for their portrayal of Murdoch in her
older and younger years.
8. Firefly Dreams (2001)
This Japanese film with English subtitles won several international film festival awards.
It tells the story of Naomi (Maho), a troubled teenager sent to the country for the summer
to work for her aunt and uncle. She's asked to care for an aging neighbor with
Alzheimer's disease; Naomi is initially unhappy about the arrangement, but soon
connects with the woman in a transformative way.
9. Age Old Friends (1989)
Hume Cronyn achieves another great performance as John Cooper, who chose to live in a
retirement home instead of live with his daughter (played by real-life daughter Tandy
Cronyn) as a symbol of maintaining his independence. He befriends Michael (Vincent
Gardenia), who starts showing signs of dementia. When John's daughter extends her offer
to live with her again, he must decide between leaving the rigid structure of the
retirement home and staying to help his friend cope with his disease.
10. I Never Sang For My Father (1970)
This intense story about family conflict stars Gene Hackman as a New York professor
planning on starting anew by marrying his girlfriend and moving to California. When his
mother dies and his father develops dementia, he must choose between living the life he's
dreamed about or abandoning his plans to care for his father. This moving film was based
on the Robert Anderson play.
By Carrie Hill, PhD
Source and courtesy:
http://alzheimers.about.com/od/booksmagsandmovies/tp/AlzheimersMovies.htm?nl=1

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Ten Movies About Alzheimer's Disease You Shouldn't

5. The Notebook (2004)

10. I Never Sang For My Father (1970)

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