Well, after the mostly negative reviews here about the film I was going to give it a miss.
However, today I drove Jan's hairdresser the 20 miles from his house to her care home, and back, and during the journey he said "I've got a film you may like to see - it is very good".
Of course it was this one.
We watched it last night and to review it requires a person to wear 4 caps [at least].
Cap 1. Carer
Cap 2. Someone who has not experienced dementia in anyone
Cap 3. Writer/producer/director
Cap 4. Actor
As a carer, there were things I recognised, and there were things that seemed bizarre. There was nothing of a hands-on 24/7 caring role but the premise of the film was that the character wanted to spare her spouse that.
The home itself - on either floor that we saw - had no difficult residents. No really challenging behavioural scenes.
There was none of the horrible anguish on the part of either the person with dementia, or the husband.
Jan's hairdresser has only experienced dementia through Jan in the time he has looked after her hair, for 10 years before her dementia, and the 15 since. He watched it and took many of the very true vignettes in to his head. Nobody who has not experienced dementia first hand would really wish to see a 100% true to life film about everyday caring. There would be no audience.
A writer/etc needs to get as many points across, but in the context of a wider story. I thought they did it well, and without unduly stressing things. The note she left him where she spelled her name wrongly - many might not have noticed that but it was very close to home for me.
For an actor it must be so difficult not to over egg the pudding, yet still to get across the vulnerability, and Julie Christie was great - well deserved awards for her.
Overall it was quite difficult to watch, but worth it.
On a different level, it was lovely to see the snowy landscapes of Canada.