Watch Away from Her

Away from Her is a poignant drama film from 2006 based on the short story "The Bear Came Over the Mountain" by Alice Munro. Directed by Sarah Polley, the film tells the story of a long-married couple Grant and Fiona Anderson (Gordon Pinsent and Julie Christie, respectively) who have reached their golden years together. Grant and Fiona's relationship has always been a loving and mutually supportive one until Fiona begins to show signs of memory loss. She is eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and after a few unsettling events, the couple decides it is best for Fiona to stay at a specialized care facility for people suffering from dementia.

The majority of the film takes place after Fiona has settled into the care facility. Grant visits his wife regularly, but as she descends deeper into her illness, she becomes less and less attached to him. Meanwhile, Grant starts to befriend and even flirt with another woman at the facility named Marian (Olympia Dukakis), making him question his own devotion to Fiona.

The film is a moving and honest portrayal of a disease, its effect on those who have it and the people who love them. The film sheds a light on the different ways people react to their loved ones with dementia and shows how the illness can break even the strongest of bonds. Julie Christie delivers a stunning performance, capturing the essence of a woman trying to come to terms with an illness that steals the memories and context of her life. Gordon Pinsent matches her with a poignant depiction of a devoted husband struggling to come to terms with the gradually unraveling of his marriage.

The cinematography of the film is also noteworthy. Director Sarah Polley has a keen eye, and she makes use of the beautiful Canadian landscape to paint a vivid picture of the changing seasons and how it corresponds to the different stages of the lives of the main characters. The music by Jonathan Goldsmith compliments the elegant visuals perfectly, and the attention to detail and sense of nuance helps to create an immersive experience for the viewer.

Away from Her is an emotionally charged love story that portrays how Alzheimer's can quickly tear apart even the strongest of relationships. The film is a raw and honest portrayal of human relationships that is relatable to viewers of all ages, making it a must-watch. It deals with weighty themes and raises questions about commitment and the nature of love, but ultimately leaves everything to the viewer's interpretation, making it a thought-provoking and moving film.

Away from Her is a 2006 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 88.