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Away from Her
Away from Her
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Away from Her

Away from Her

2007
Romance, Drama
1h 50m
This beautiful yet unconventional story of a couple coming to grips with the onset of memory loss is adapted from celebrated author Alice Munro's short story "The Bear Came Over the Mountain." (Lionsgate)

Away from Her

2007
Romance, Drama
1h 50m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 65.35% from 733 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(736)
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Rated 10 Jan 2010
43
29th
Feels more like a TV production than a big screen film. Story is depressing, but it really didn't feel authentic to me. Not sure if it's the fault of the book or this adaptation.
Rated 03 Nov 2007
79
74th
Not only Christie but all the actors are great. And It's like Sarah Polley has been blessed by Bergman. Not perfect but a solid deal.
Rated 31 Dec 2008
90
94th
You know how heart breaking the last couple of minutes of The Notebook are? This is that, but for an hour and a half. Beautiful and wrenching at the same time. I have no idea how I'd handle the situation that Gordon Pinsent finds himself in, and hopefully I'll never have to find out. My mum works in what is essentially the second floor btw. Can't visit the place, it's not nice...
Rated 12 Jul 2008
90
89th
Wow, this is quite the debut film from writer/director Sarah Polley. Not only is she comfortable enough with the medium to avoid schmaltzy, overly-talky moments, but she's got a wonderful feel for how to move the camera. And the editing might be the best thing here, with the interplay of scenes from various times, heightening the absence and loss that come with this disease. Oh, and love the portrait of two people who remain married for the long haul despite the failures in the marriage.
Rated 20 Jun 2008
80
55th
A movie with a statuesque, uncompromising sadness at its heart. I haven't seen many films with this level of pure emotion.
Rated 21 Mar 2008
60
69th
Old people, sexy fun!
Rated 13 Mar 2008
70
52nd
A few narrative flaws can't overcome the precise direction from Polley and the adequately heartbreaking underacting from Pinsent and Christie.
Rated 02 Feb 2008
83
67th
Away From Her is excellent. It's endearing and personal without being sappy or over-sentimental like a lot of these illness movies are. The two lead actors in this movie are remarkable, and it will be wholly deserving when Christie gets her second Oscar for this movie. The story is told lightly, focusing mostly on the husband and his trouble dealing with his wife's issues, but it's never dramatic or even hard to stomach. It's just a great movie.
Rated 13 Sep 2021
65
39th
Panfreezer+knowshecheated/inloveeverydayaliability+shewannabanggoodbyelol+1st30daysapartworriedsheforgot(wouldsucklol)+shedoessometimes-hasnewguyfriendthatsjealouslol+wondersifsheacting/punishing+ninadobrev?+howcouldtheyforgetvietnamlol+hebefriendstheguywifelol-havetodecidetobehappy-banglol+doinbad-bringsguyback-butremembershusband-hug+canada
Rated 12 Apr 2020
40
38th
Sad dementia movies ain't my bag.
Rated 25 Feb 2020
100
98th
With an extremely deft and careful hand, Sarah Polley directs a haunting and poignant film about real, true love versus dementia. Profoundly moving, brilliantly acted and beautifully shot, Away From Her is a fantastic film in every way.
Rated 24 Sep 2019
94
85th
Painfully well done. A must-see for anyone interested in, well, life. The dialogue is as perfect as it's possible to write, and applicable to far more than just the elderly facing end-of-life crises. This is one of those films that changes you, deeply.
Rated 21 Mar 2018
94
86th
An accomplished directorial debut by Sarah Polley, Away From Her is a touching exploration of the effects of Alzheimer's, in which the tender wisdom of Polley's script is beautifully complemented by a wonderful performance from Julie Christie.
Rated 13 Dec 2016
84
55th
The best thing I can say about this film is Polley's adaptation of Munro's short story is immaculate. Christie is great, hauntingly heartbreaking in fact, but the actual blood pumping through the picture rests in Pinsent's underrated performance. It takes its time a little too often in some places, veers dangerously on the edge of television melodrama once or twice, but ultimately succeeds as a powerful film.
Rated 25 Nov 2014
80
69th
I didn't like it at first, what with the ugly soft-focus and anti-septic lighting, self-consciously writerly dialogue that probably worked better on the page, and the muffled, musty tone and pacing. It loosens up after the first act, though, and eventually won me over. It turns into a charming, compelling, character-rich, and profoundly sad film.
Rated 23 Mar 2014
88
95th
88.000
Rated 05 Feb 2014
3
73rd
Gentle weepy that almost got me but for some moments where it went a bit 'information film'.
Rated 24 Dec 2013
52
6th
really reminiscent of atom egoyan's films, which is NOT a compliment. i understand that this is a "style", but it looks sloppy & self-indulgent. this film, in particular, was inexcusably dull, and i think that's because it, like every other canadian film, lacked drama and heart. maybe i'm just not equipped to understand the art of this type of canadian filmmaking, but i think at the core of it, if a film can't make you feel, it's failed as entertainment and as art.
Rated 08 Apr 2013
95
94th
Very upsetting. I haven't felt a film grip my heart with it's icy Canadian hand like this in ages.
Rated 07 Oct 2012
75
85th
What a beautiful film! The story totally hit home and had me close to tears for the most part of the movie. I don't personally know anyone with Alzheimer's but something about the film's depiction of it seemed slightly unrealistic. But that's a minor flaw and the brilliant acting of Christie made up for it.
Rated 02 Oct 2012
80
90th
Using simple, everyday things Polley gracefully breaks your heart time and time again.
Rated 01 Aug 2012
75
74th
Very emotional movie. About an unthinkably horrible situation (involving memory loss) and trying to make the best of it.
Rated 04 Mar 2012
50
23rd
FYI: Getting old and developing Alzheimer's is depressing. Avoid it if possible.
Rated 05 Jan 2012
70
57th
Emotionally understated and unoriginal in its approach, "Away from Her" still manages to be a compelling and occasionally touching drama about Alzheimer's, mostly due to strong performances by Pinsent, Christie and Dukakis. Despite avoiding dramatic intensity, Polley's feature film directorial and screenwriting debut shows great promise, as her effort demonstrates both sensibility and restraint, as well as a budding visual talent.
Rated 21 Dec 2011
79
77th
Sarah Polley does a great job in her feature film directing debut. Both the lead actors give outstanding performances. I would have liked for the movie to go on for one more scene.
Rated 01 Jan 2011
88
87th
87.750
Rated 21 Oct 2010
35
90th
"Polley creates a portrait that might be dubbed Scenes From a Marriage's End." - Nick Schager
Rated 07 Oct 2010
78
83rd
Beautifully made, with superb performances from the two leads. Christie is fantastic but Pinsent is the star for me. He plays the role with quiet dignity, only letting his deep sorrow rise to the surface in rare moments.
Rated 09 Jul 2010
92
99th
If this movie were any more touching I'd feel like I was masturbating. It's that touching. And I don't mean that I gleaned any sexual gratification from the film, just that it touched me so profoundly, it was like hands came out of the screen and molested me. I cried. I'm not ashamed to admit that.
Rated 29 Jun 2010
100
93rd
Heartrending yet heartwarming. I loved this movie! Polleys freshman direction of this short story by Munro is right on the mark!
Rated 27 Jun 2010
85
66th
Extraordinary performances from Christie and Pinsent, and honest, restrained direction from first-timer Sarah Polley. The film falters in structure and loses intensity slightly just when it needs it--towards the end--but these are minor quibbles, since the film taken as a whole is honest, cliche-free and very moving.
Rated 13 Aug 2009
68
47th
A very emotionally authentic film about a very real human tragedy. Superb performances by all of the main characters. Still, it's pretty hard for a movie like this not to drag at points.
Rated 19 Jul 2009
60
17th
A fine film, but too slow for me. I was very happy when Julie Christie didn't win Best Actress, like everyone was saying she would. That was an example of Hollywood politics, since she wasn't THAT good.
Rated 27 Apr 2009
87
75th
Very well crafted.
Rated 14 Feb 2009
60
11th
Isn't that bad. May be I wasn't on the mood to watch this film.
Rated 13 Nov 2008
85
68th
Although some of the dialogue is sometimes stagey, the actors deliver it with great skill and delicacy. Away From Her is an authentic adaptation of Munro, capturing her insight and humanity beautifully.
Rated 12 Nov 2008
92
81st
Fantastic story of couple being separated by Alzheimer's. Beautifully acted by Julie Christie and Gordon Pinsent... Highly recommended.
Rated 26 Jul 2008
85
81st
A touching movie about memory loss, with wonderful performances from the two leads.
Rated 14 Jul 2008
40
20th
Gordon Pinsent is the one who deserved the Oscar nomination. Not Julie Christie's gagalicious performance that seemed more like someone who was reading off bad poetry than performing. Oh, and Olympia Dukakis was bad too. I just didn't like this.
Rated 30 May 2008
75
88th
Very touching.
Rated 07 Mar 2008
80
85th
Christie and Pinsent give absolutely amazing performances in this quiet, unassuming film.
Rated 03 Mar 2008
95
92nd
I don't think I'll ever see love better portrayed on screen again. This isn't for everyone, it isn't fun. It's slow and steady and real life. Julie Christie is so beautiful that it was almost distracting and cheers to Sarah Polley, who went from playing Ramona to at 28 making a film where people over 50 aren't devoid of sexuality or mistakes.
Rated 18 Feb 2008
80
88th
A beautiful film with an impeccable balance of humor and sorrow. As all her awards indicate, Christie is excellent, but Pinsent is at least as good.
Rated 02 Feb 2008
85
87th
Very effective. Of course we have Julie Christie demonstrating remarkable skill in balancing the decline of Fiona, but don't dismiss Gordon Pinsent either- he's just as superior. The film grows intensely shattering and provides a fantastic showcase for both lead actors. It's a tear-jerker for the romance crowd, but wisely not forced-upon the audience. You simply admire these fantastic performances. Audiences that dug 'The Notebook' will surely find a more honest, heartbreaking romance here.
Rated 27 Jan 2008
90
89th
One of the most heart-wrenching films I've seen. Beautifully shot and acted.
Rated 21 Jan 2008
77
84th
Away from Her deals with a man having to place his wife into an assisted living facility when her alzheimer's becomes too hard for him to handle. During separation, the wife forgets her husband, and slowly begins falling in love with another resident of the assisted living community. Naturally, the film is a total tearjerker. Julie Christie delivers a powerful performance as the ailing wife. However, Gordon Pinsent is merely adequate as the faithful (but struggling) husband.
Rated 15 Jan 2008
80
86th
Christie more or less deserved her acclaim but I found that Gordon Pinsent is the complete knock-out. What a performance.
Rated 15 Dec 2007
80
43rd
Nothing too remarkable. Atom Egoyan's influence on Sarah Polley comes through loud and clear.
Rated 26 Nov 2007
90
86th
One heck of a writing/directing debut for Polley. Just about the saddest thing you've ever seen, yet unpredictable. Far too well done to be dismissed as another disease movie
Rated 20 Nov 2007
65
76th
Boring at first, enveloping as it goes on. I don't like the conversations about what life is or not, but the acting gave them plausibility.
Rated 08 Nov 2007
25
12th
not only that it is reeeeally boring cause it is about 1h too long, i just dont see the sense in making a movie for "the big screen" about alzheimer ... tv production okay ...
Rated 20 Sep 2007
94
98th
Away From Her is a film about Alzheimer's, love, and loss. There have been relatively few "mainstream" movies with Alzheimer's as a central theme (only Iris and The Notebook come to mind); Away From Her is not only much better than any film I have seen about Alzheimer's - it is one of the best films on any subject I have seen in the last few years.
Rated 13 Sep 2007
100
98th
A lovely and devastating journey.

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