The DVD Dissection: The Savages
Posted by Chad Webb on 04.22.2008
These Savages aren’t as well-known as Randy, but they are just as entertaining in this DVD!
Laura Linney: Wendy Savage
Philip Seymour Hoffman: Jon Savage
Philip Bosco: Lenny Savage
Peter Friedman: Larry
David Zayas: Eduardo
Gbenga Akinnagbe: Jimmy
Written/Directed By: Tamara Jenkins
Theatrical Release Date: November 28, 2007
DVD Release Date: April 25, 2008
Running Time: 113 minutes
Rated R for some sexuality and language.
The Film
Alzheimer’s and dementia are attacking people around the world more and more each year. When these ailments strike someone we know or are related to, it is usually treated as a personal and private matter. Talking about it openly is not common. Recently, several films have been released addressing the pain, stress, and heartbreak of dealing these unfortunate circumstances. In 2007, two in particular garnered well deserved praise and attention. In Sarah Polley's Away from Her, Julie Christie and Gordon Pinsent delivered breathtaking portrayals in a story that was proficient, touching, but ultimately too cheerless. Tamara Jenkins’ The Savages tackles similar territory, but does so with a ray of hope streaming into the bleak atmosphere.
Lenny Savage (Philip Bosco) had been living with his girlfriend for many years in Sun City. Unfortunately, neither of them are capable of caring for themselves, and when Lenny writes on the wall with his excrement, that is the last straw. Suffering from dementia, his children Jon (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Wendy (Laura Linney) are called to take permanent responsibility for him. Growing up with Lenny was anything but a walk in the park, and when faced with the task of caring for him, neither is pleased or eager. Eventually, he is placed in a nursing home close to Jon’s place in Buffalo. Wendy temporarily relocates there to help out. As the brother and sister try to carry on with a normal life, the constant stress of dealing with the terminally ill father plagues them, and induces several arguments. Jon and Wendy view the situation differently, but both must do their best to adapt.
No one would have blinked twice if Philip Seymour Hoffman was nominated for three different performances at the most recent Oscar ceremony. He wasn’t, but it could have easily occurred as his masterful work was seen in Charlie Wilson’s War, Before the Devil Knows Your Dead, and of course The Savages. In selecting just one, the Academy made the correct choice, but Jon Savage surely would have been next in line. Only until very late in the film does the audience truly realize where Jon's outbursts are coming from. Lenny was obviously a bad father, but we do not understand how bad until that concluding moment. Jon’s perspective is that of a realist. His explosion that people are dying inside the walls of each and every nursing home no matter how fancy is harsh, but true. Seymour Hoffman fleshes out years of abuse and neglect into Jon, not to mention his relationship problems. Jon is afraid to take his life out of neutral, and Hoffman’s nuanced performance exudes all the raw emotions brilliantly.
Laura Linney is an acquired taste, but when she dazzles you once, all of her diligent efforts will be bubble to the surface without haste. As Wendy Savage, Linney is searching for the next logical step for her life. She submits her plays persistently to various agencies, but too often they are rejected. Wendy is also having an affair with a married man, but even that has become tiresome and mundane. Not until her father Lenny develops dementia does she finally come to grips with her weaknesses, and make strides to improving them face to face. What I have always admired about Linney is her confidence. Glancing at her resume one will observe that it is not spotless, but she chugs on with conviction, and keeps on supplying 110% for each project. She can do just about anything from comedies to period pieces, but the independent arena is where she shines the brightest.
Philip Bosco is a name probably unknown to many, but in the Broadway circles, he certainly renowned and admird. In terms of feature films, Bosco has contributed mainly supporting to minor parts since the early 60’s. Because Linney and Hoffman are such reliable talent, and were magnificent as Wendy and Jon, Bosco’s subtly outstanding portrayal did not garner the consideration is deserved, much like Gordon Pinsent in Away from Her. Bosco’s approach, expressions, and mannerisms were so eerily similar that of patients I have observed that the reaction is seamless. Linney and Hoffman received such high praise because they were able to play off Bosco so effortlessly. That says a lot for his abilities.
Surprisingly this is Writer/Director Tamara Jenkins sophomore effort as a filmmaker. It had been several years since I saw 1998’s Slums of Beverly Hills. That was a comedy reminiscent of The Savages in that it evoked the humor from the daily lives of self-centered individuals, but it was also rather unremarkable and has not aged well. In that span of time, Jenkins has matured and honed her craft adeptly. She unleashes this sensitive focus as both earnest and unpleasant, but let’s be honest, that is what its like. The 30 day shooting schedule surely made it difficult to obtain every facet she desired, but thankfully Jenkins had the aid of such a fine cast that flourished as if they had all the time in the world.
When I traveled out of my way with friends to see this, one person had no idea what The Savages was about. I described it as a comedy because the trailer was fashioned so that viewers would believe just that. Unfortunately this was damaging to the film because many bought tickets expecting non-stop laughter. This false marketing campaign happens a lot these days, but let it be known that The Savages is a drama, not a comedy. There are instances of sincere mirth, combined with dark and dry wit, but first and foremost this is a serious story about a parent who is dying.
I watched my parents’ lifestyle change significantly once my grandmother developed Alzheimer’s. As her mental state gradually worsened, she required 24/7 care. With assisted living and nursing home costs at ridiculously high rates, it’s safe to say not every family can afford them. My grandmother stayed in a home for awhile, but eventually came to live with us while I was in high school and attending college. On occasion, my mother or father would need to sleep near her in fear that she would get up and do harm to herself. She has stopped speaking almost completely, and has become a shell of her former self. The Savages understands these issues, but expresses that not all is negative. This is a funny, honest, and smart film that serves as evidence that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
The Video
The sunniest and most positive scenes in The Savages occur right at the beginning when Jon and Wendy savage travel to Sun City. The atmosphere is warm and bright to greet the audience. After that, most of the drama unravels in New York, Buffalo to be exact, and it is winter, which means the sequences are uncomfortable and dreary. Truth be told, the picture does not have a lot of opportunities to show off because of the locations, but that's ok. The clarity is pristine so do not expect any grain, blurs, or other defects. As an independent film, W. Mott Hupfel’s cinematography perfectly captures the bleak surroundings of New York as all the unpleasantness goes down inside the nursing home. This is presented in anamorphic widescreen with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio.
The Audio
It should be no shock by now that this is a talking drama/comedy so the speakers receive very little workout. Besides some occasional shouting, there is not a lot to brag about. The gentle piano score from Stephen Trask is smooth and fantastic, and all the characters are rendered as lucid and totally understandable. My volume knob rested at a relaxed position throughout. This dual layered region 1 disc has a Dolby Digital 5.1 track in English and Dolby Surround in Spanish. It also contains subtitles in English, Spanish, and French.
The Packaging
The Savages is distributed in a standard black keep case that we all know and love. The artwork is a total disappointment, and seriously the people behind the marketing and promotion for this film need to be examined. The poster artwork would have been just fine, but alas, that was put on the disc art instead, and on the main menus. Instead we get this bland image from the film with a bright red background. If the goal was to make this look boring to customers passing by, then mission accomplished. The menus were easy to navigate for what it’s worth.
The Extras
About the Savages (20:25) - What we are given here is a conventional “making-of” or “Behind the scenes” featurette. Interviews with Jenkins, Hoffman, and Linney are spliced in with clips from the film. Jenkins shares personal experiences and how she approached the story. Other crew members touch on the characters, casting, the journey of the tale, scoring, locations, and so forth. This was around the length one would anticipate, but at least the supplements had something else to watch.
Extended Scenes - The first is “Sun City West Rhythm Tappers Uncut” (3:29). All this reveals is a longer version of the opening title dance number. The second scene is “Two of a Kind” uncut (4:14) which is a elderly couple singing karaoke. I must say it sucks that these were the only extra footage they could dig up. What a waste.
Director’s Snapshots - This nifty bonus has 32 slides of approximately four pictures to a slide. They are behind the scenes shots, movie images, etc., etc. I always like glancing at these, but a few slides appeared to be doubles of the one before, and the pictures were extremely small.
Trailers - In the special features section, you’ll find trailers for The Family Stone, The Onion Movie, Network Bones, and Bonneville.
Previews (7:05) - hen you pop the disc in your player, the following trailers will play: Juno, 27 Dresses, and The Darjeeling Limited.
The Film: 8.5/10.0
The Video: 8.0/10.0
The Audio: 7.5/10.0
The Packaging: 7.5/10.0
The Extras: 5.5/10.0
The 411: The Savages is that little festival hit that raked into bunches of awards and still did not get seen by nearly enough moviegoers. In time, perhaps it will find a bigger audience, and at least the Oscar noms helped. You have three great performances by Philip Seymour Hoffman, Laura Linney, and Philip Bosco combining with competent writing and direction from Tamara Jenkins. The rest of the disc is somewhat blasé in comparison unfortunately. The technical specifications are both average due to the genre and the extras are slim and disappointing with no commentary track. My advice is to wait a few months and pick this up when the price gets pushed down, or if you spot it on used somewhere. All in all, wonderful film gets a mediocre DVD treatment.
