Top Movie - Away from Her
It took me far too long to finally watch this movie, which tells the heart-wrenching story of a wife with Alzheimer’s who is institutionalized and, in the process, forgets her husband, only to fall for another man. Sarah Polley, in her directorial debut, demonstrates a remarkable talent for capturing profound emotional truths in the simplest, yet most heartbreaking, of ways.
The film is set in a picturesque winter home, where Fiona and Grant Anderson (played by Julie Christie and Gordon Pinsent) have spent 40 years of their marriage. It’s the kind of cozy, comfortable retreat one dreams of for retirement. However, when Fiona learns she has Alzheimer’s, she checks herself into an institution. As they drive to the facility, we glimpse their shared history—one marked by a less-than-perfect husband and a quietly resentful wife—through intimate conversations about their past.
Grant is informed that during the first 30 days of Fiona’s stay, she cannot receive any visitors to ease her transition. When he finally returns, he discover that Fiona has grown affectionate toward another resident, Aubrey (Michael Murphy), while becoming indifferent to her forgotten husband. The film and its actors brilliantly convey the loss of Fiona’s memory without diminishing the essence of her character, personality, and temperament. Watching Grant navigate his grief is deeply moving; the audience shares his sense of inescapable loss.
Many conversations, especially between Grant and the nurses, are filled with subtle poignancy. One of the standout moments for me is his interaction with a teenage girl, who begins skeptical but is touched by his unwavering devotion to Fiona. In time, Grant turns to Marian (Olympia Dukakis), Aubrey’s wife, as he pleads for Aubrey to stay at the facility for Fiona’s happiness.
The film poignantly explores how, in every relationship, we seek companionship and kindness at our core. Away from Her is an unforgettable exploration of love, loss, and the delicate threads that hold us together.
