Mia Farrow's devoted performance shines through in almost every scene. She portrays Diana's confusion, worry, and feelings of unfair vulnerability at an impressive level.
The screenplay and limited budget are unfortunately what brings the movie down in most other regards; some of the other actors aren't putting in as much effort and it unfortunately shows. The dialogue is sometimes too functional and expository. Martin Sheen does what he can with Jack's more cliché character and limited story focus, but he eventually does bring out the notes of warmth that his character grows into, effectively.
There are some interesting shots here and there, particularly when Diana is at the Governor's Reception and she briefly appears to be alone in a large hall, assailed by a cacophony of chattering voices before being brought back to the moment by the guiding touch of a colleague. Other than this and a few other moments the cinematography is functional albeit mostly mundane.
The score is simple and effective, but not exceptional. More typical instrumentation gives way to disorienting whirring whereever Diana loses her senses, it's simple but effective at bringing the audience into how Diana is feeling and struggling. The score carries a singularly melancholic flute melody that is reincorporated throughout the story during reflective moments and is rather touching.
Overall it's probably one of the better made-for-TV movies, especially for Lifetime, and Diana McGowin who's biography the film is based on couldn't have asked for a more empathetic and genuine portrayal. If you're interested in seeing a story about a person who's life is changed enormously by Alzheimer's and how they try to adapt and function in spite of it all, Forget Me Never is worth watching and absorbing. Although to be fair given the movie's age and relative obscurity, if you're here you've probably already seen it.
The screenplay and limited budget are unfortunately what brings the movie down in most other regards; some of the other actors aren't putting in as much effort and it unfortunately shows. The dialogue is sometimes too functional and expository. Martin Sheen does what he can with Jack's more cliché character and limited story focus, but he eventually does bring out the notes of warmth that his character grows into, effectively.
There are some interesting shots here and there, particularly when Diana is at the Governor's Reception and she briefly appears to be alone in a large hall, assailed by a cacophony of chattering voices before being brought back to the moment by the guiding touch of a colleague. Other than this and a few other moments the cinematography is functional albeit mostly mundane.
The score is simple and effective, but not exceptional. More typical instrumentation gives way to disorienting whirring whereever Diana loses her senses, it's simple but effective at bringing the audience into how Diana is feeling and struggling. The score carries a singularly melancholic flute melody that is reincorporated throughout the story during reflective moments and is rather touching.
Overall it's probably one of the better made-for-TV movies, especially for Lifetime, and Diana McGowin who's biography the film is based on couldn't have asked for a more empathetic and genuine portrayal. If you're interested in seeing a story about a person who's life is changed enormously by Alzheimer's and how they try to adapt and function in spite of it all, Forget Me Never is worth watching and absorbing. Although to be fair given the movie's age and relative obscurity, if you're here you've probably already seen it.