One of Mia Farrow's strongest straight dramatic performances, she's very brave in taking on the real life story of 55 year old attorney Diane McGowin who discovers out of the blue that she is suffering from early Alzheimer's. This could have had a bit more detail not only about her life before this all seriously began (husband Martin Sheen indicates that she's become more forgetful lately), and had scenes continue rather than cut them off in very important moments.
She overhears her family discussing her issues and simply blurts out what she's just confirmed with her humorless doctor. Rather than have her come downstairs and discuss what she's found out (giving the family a chance to express emotion and ask questions), they cut it off. Farrow tries to make light of her medical situation, and the doctor is the one to act all offended. Most doctors would accept that as a sign of attempts to cope with sudden bad news, a natural reaction.
In spite of script flaws, the performance of Farrow is amazing, and she never makes you feel like you're watching some weepy movie of the week. Sheen is great in support. I'll give the film credit for showing different aspects of the disease I'd previously been unaware of, so it's a good educational tool. There are times when Farrow seems completely lucid which gives her lots of range and of course the character moments of rage.
She overhears her family discussing her issues and simply blurts out what she's just confirmed with her humorless doctor. Rather than have her come downstairs and discuss what she's found out (giving the family a chance to express emotion and ask questions), they cut it off. Farrow tries to make light of her medical situation, and the doctor is the one to act all offended. Most doctors would accept that as a sign of attempts to cope with sudden bad news, a natural reaction.
In spite of script flaws, the performance of Farrow is amazing, and she never makes you feel like you're watching some weepy movie of the week. Sheen is great in support. I'll give the film credit for showing different aspects of the disease I'd previously been unaware of, so it's a good educational tool. There are times when Farrow seems completely lucid which gives her lots of range and of course the character moments of rage.