Away from Her (2006, Sarah Polley)

Julie Christie’s delicate performance is the main reason to watch Away from Her. It’s “Hallmark Hall of Fame” material but Christie’s magic transforms it into something meaningful and very moving. She’s got to be the sexiest sexagenarian ever, and one of the most talented too. Christie remains as stunningly beautiful, and effective, as when she wooed viewers in classic films like Doctor Zhivago and Darling, almost five decades ago. She also made me think that we really have very few bona fide movie stars working today. Christie is superb here in the role of a woman facing Alzheimer; she conveying brilliantly how the disease zaps your memory, never resorting to obvious mannerisms. The film is full of clichés associates with these kinds of movies but Christie keeps you interested in her plight. Gordon Pinsent and Olympia Dukakis offer solid support in key roles. But it is Christie’s show.

~ by gelpi2008 on Saturday, October 31, 2009.