As if all the memories of the mind were black and white photographs, that were fading away to only blank snowy white, is how I look at Alzheimer’s disease. Besides a few relatives, my mother dealt with it for several years until her death. Gratefully, the sweetness in her intensified as the disease slowly polished away everything that was inside of her. Taking her to a restaurant, my mother would blow kisses to each table of patrons she passed. I remember there was an elderly couple who often frequented the same restaurant. The wife was nearly catatonic from Alzheimer’s disease. When my mother would come into this woman’s line of vision, the woman would come to life, insistently holding onto my mother’s hands. The two would smile at each other as if they were sharing a secret that no one else could possibly know. Julie Christie (Finding Neverland, McCabe & Mrs. Miller) was nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of Fiona Anderson, a woman who was aware her memory was starting to slip away. Gordon Pinsent (The Shipping News, The Old Man and the Sea) played her husband Grant Anderson. After some rockiness in the beginning, the couple settled into an easy, comfortable life together. Their closeness made it only harder when the time came for Fiona to move into a long term care facility. Making the change difficult for Grant was watching the woman he loved receding from him as she slowly began a different life at her new residence. The acting was outstanding from the whole cast. Olympia Dukakis (Moonstruck, Look Who’s Talking) did a beautiful job as Marian, a woman traveling on a similar path as Grant. Though this was hard for me to watch due to personal reasons; this film told a thoughtful, tender story. It reminded me of the quote, “If you love someone, let them go…” The mother I knew left me long before she died; however, I have kept my memories of her safe, hanging them on the walls of my heart.

3 1/2 stars — DVD

http://youtu.be/ct7eXP-ivAk