The Savages: Review By Fallenlords

I have to admit ‘The Savages’ is not my typical type of film. The only reason I watched it was because it had a 7.6 rating on IMDB. Which these days is pretty good for a comedy. Although this is more ‘black comedy’ as such, in other word what the characters say and do is not that funny. Its the situations that arise from what they say and do that is funny. I have to say I am becoming more of a fan of Philip Seymour Hoffman (Jon Savage). I didn’t like Capote, thought it was really dull. But I have to say I quite liked him in ‘Before the devil knows your dead’ and ‘Charlie Wilsons War’. In a funny sort of way he is growing on me.

Anyway the film revolves around a brother and sister, Jon Savage and Wendy Savage (Laura Linney). Who find themselves in the uncomfortable position of having to sort out care for their estranged father who now has dementia. Basically its uncomfortable because both of them are rather - self absorbed. The film just details the events that follow, how both siblings cope in their own way with regards to the care of their father Lenny (Philip Bosco).

This is sort of everyday humour at its best and it had me in stitches, but only at certain points. For the most part the film is actually a little sad and does make you think. It makes you think about growing old and what inevitably comes to us all in the end. But it is very well done. Its not played as a comedy at all, but its really funny. It reminds me a little of ‘The Weather Man’ with Nicholas Cage, a film I also thought was really funny. Basically this film will appeal if you like grown up comedy and not slapstick/quick fire quips.

Both Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney played their parts well I thought, both came over as very disfunctional. Through the course of their time with their father they start to get things more together. Its a little as if the heavy responsibility makes them both think about their own current situations. Basically this film is great. Watch out for the information on toes, very informative, you will be checking your toes for weeks!!