Oscar nominations over the years have included multiple nods for performances in movies that deal with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Here are seven movies you shouldn’t miss that handle this difficult subject with grace, dignity, and realism.
1 Still Alice (2014)
In this American movie, based on Lisa Genova’s 2007 bestselling book of the same name, Julianne Moore stars as Alice Howland, a professor diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Her husband is played by Alec Baldwin, and her children are played by Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth, and Hunter Parrish.
While some critics found the movie powerful, especially since it’s told by Alice herself, others criticized the movie for the way it held back, mostly when it came to touching on how this familial type of Alzheimer’s may affect Alice’s children.
2 Away From Her (2007)
In Away From Her, Julie Christie was Oscar-nominated for Best Actress for her portrayal of Fiona, a woman with Alzheimer’s who voluntarily enters a long-term care facility to avoid being a burden on Grant, her husband of 50 years.
After a 30-day separation (recommended by the facility), Grant visits Fiona and finds that her memory of him has deteriorated and that she’s developed a close friendship with another man in the facility.
Grant must draw upon the pure love and respect he has for Fiona to choose what will ensure his wife’s happiness in the face of the disease.
Christie won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama) for her performance in this movie.
3 The Savages (2007)
Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman play siblings in this tragic comedy about adult children caring for a parent with dementia. Laura Linney was Oscar-nominated for Best Actress, and Tamara Jenkins was Oscar-nominated for Best Original Screenplay.
With a rare combination of humility, dignity, and humor, Philip Seymour Hoffman was Golden Globe-nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) for his performance as the neurotic professor who begrudgingly unites with his sister for the sake of their father.
4 Aurora Borealis (2006)
Donald Sutherland and Louise Fletcher steal the show in this movie about relationships and difficult choices. Sutherland plays a grandfather with dementia who requires more care than his wife (Fletcher) can handle. They enlist the help of a home health aide (Juliette Lewis) and their grandson (Joshua Jackson), who forge a friendship as Sutherland’s character (who insists he can see the Northern Lights from his window) becomes increasingly impaired.
It’s considered a well-crafted independent film that was released under the radar.
5 The Notebook (2004)
Based on Nicholas Sparks’ best-selling novel of the same name, The Notebook, this movie features James Garner as Noah, the loving husband of Allie (Gena Rowlands), who is in a nursing home due to Alzheimer’s disease.
Noah attempts to rekindle her memories of their long history by reading to her from his notebook. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams play the couple in their younger years. Described as a true romance, the movie was directed by Nick Cassavetes, son of Gena Rowlands.
6 A Song For Martin (2001)
Sven Wollter and Viveka Seldahl (who were married in real life) play married couple Martin and Barbara in this Swedish movie with English subtitles. Martin is a conductor and composer while Barbara is a violinist.
They meet and marry in middle-age, but soon after, they find out that Martin has Alzheimer’s disease. This moving story is considered one of the most realistic depictions of caregiving on film.
7 Iris: A Memoir of Iris Murdoch (2001)
Based on the book Elegy for Iris by John Bayley, this movie tells the true story of English novelist Iris Murdoch’s descent into Alzheimer’s disease and the unconditional love of Bayley, her partner of 40 years.
Jim Broadbent won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Bayley in his later years. Judi Dench and Kate Winslet received both Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively, for their portrayal of Murdoch in her older and younger years.
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