I didn't intend to see The Savages until it started getting a (small, but) positive buzz from critics. I caved, and it ended up being one of my favorites from last year. In fact, if a person is getting close to dealing with taking care of aging parents or is experiencing it right now, and if that person can handle a little bit of adult content (relationships and language), then I would recommend that they watch this movie. It seems like a movie that can prepare someone mentally, as well as let them know that they aren't alone in the frustrations and funniness that can occur when one has to place mom or dad in a nursing home.

In this story, a brother and sister who haven't seen each other or their nearly estranged dad for several years get a call that their dad has started showing signs of need for more than just assisted care. The two have to come together, with all of the baggage from their separate lives, and decide what to do for their father, with whom neither has a very good relationship.

The movie sort of struck home for me because I know my dad will probably be headed in that direction in the next few years (depending on how long he is able to maintain his current state of health).

I love little details in this movie, from the life of assisted living to the life of a nursery home, to how to break it to the dad where he is going to be living from now on (and where he thought he was staying). The impact of their father's history with them makes it all the more well-written. Jon and Wendy feel a need to care for their father, and care for him in a sense, but also resent him for so many things, and are often frustrated with him. They also have careers and relationships, and those often seem to reflect their upbringing at times. I thought it was a very smart script.

Laura Linney and Phillip Seymour Hoffman are always wonderful actors, and here is no exception. I was so happy that Linney was nominated for an Oscar (the scene where she marches through a nursery home trying to find a pillow was awesome), and also that the screenplay was as well. Somehow, this year, it seemed like the Academy got a lot more things right than wrong, which is a rarity in my opinion.

One of the smarter and more affecting movies, for me at least, The Savages is high on my list from 2007. I hope some of you will enjoy it if you check it out.

I'm not sure how many of you use Google Reader to check out blog feeds, rather than manually looking up blogs. But for those of you who do, let me know! I often feel like sharing a story I've read online with some of you, but don't want to take the time to post it on my blog or send an email. If we can be friends on Google, then I can share the stories with you without making more effort than a simple click. Lazy, I know, but that's how I roll.