A Piano for Mrs. Cimino

In a very sympathetic and sensitive manner this fine little TV-movie portrays the difficulties of old age - and the problems that arise when the younger generation has to make a decision: what shall we do when our grandparents can't manage their lives any more. Bette Davis is very touching as she struggles for her self-responsibility. The film has many aspects, even love between older people, which gives it an additional touch of romance. Though the pacing is at times somewhat slow, this is not a flaw. It contributes to the overall atmosphere - the light and dark sides of old age.

7 out of 10

What a trip to read about the movie with BD and Keenan Wynn filmed for 2 days at my house on Superba St/Blvd.in Venice, CA. for 2 days in the scene where Betty gets back together with Keenan Wynn. I remember how uptight Betty was when our black cat got out of the bedroom and ran across the set in the living room and she freaked out. When I left for work the first day of filming Keenan was outside and invited me to come sit with him, a sweet, sweet man. My late ex-wife was 6 months pregnant with our firstborn and the fees paid for our belated honeymoon in Kauai! I remember coming home from work and Keenan was making out with Betty on our sofa! Sweet Hollywood memories!

The story has two story lines: the visual story and the underlying one. It opens as Davis is forcibly removed from her home and taken to a hospital, the result of deep depression after the death of her husband. She hasn't fully recovered when she returns home. Neither of her sons can take her into their home, and make decisions to sell her home, move her into a nursing home and put her music business in the hands of a banker. A grand-daughter is her only ally and searches for an assisted living home that is not institutional. The movie gives thoughtful looks at differences in elder care. One day Davis plays the Rec Hall piano and mentions that her piano was given away. Eventually she moves away from the area into an active retirement hotel in California (I think). At the home's Christmas Party she meets Wynn, the saxophone player she remembers from the days he played in her husband's band. They begin seeing each other and enjoying music. One night a storm prevents her from returning home and she spends the night at Wynn's, who gives her the bed yet sleeps on the couch. Her family is notified of her absence and assumes it is another example of her confusion and unreliability. All her finances are in the hands of others. She begins legal action to resolve the situation, whereupon the people handling her financial interests bring all her miss-steps to light in the most unfavorable light. I've worked with many elder people and find this story is VERY close to the truth. It's an excellent window on elder problems.

Bette Davis fans might not like A Piano for Mrs. Cimino, but I stuck with it because my mom insisted it was a good movie. On my own, I probably would have turned it off. She's given an irregularly cut gray wig to make her look unkempt, coke bottle glasses to make her look confused, and starts off the movie being carried out of her house screaming. She's put in a hospital, stripped of her dignity, tied in a straight jacket, and incoherently sits through a hearing where she's deemed mentally incompetent and sent to an old folks' home. This is not the type of role her fans want to see her in.

If you don't mind, or just want to see her in a very meaty role during her sunset years (to redeem herself from the horror flicks), you can keep watching. It's a very sad topic that is unfortunately realistic. Old people go through hard times (Bette's husband has just died) and their kids assume power of attorney and send them to a home - when young people go through hard times, they get sympathy and therapy. Thankfully, Bette's devoted and smart granddaughter, Alexa Kenin, finds an innovative and unorthodox rest home run by Penny Fuller. Penny believes that old folks' minds atrophy from lack of use, and in her home, the residents go to classes to revive their little gray cells. If and once they recover, they have a graduation ceremony and return to their lives or start anew with independence. If more retirement homes were run like this, imagine the possibilities!

My favorite part of the movie was seeing Bette reunited with Keenan Wynn, her devoted (onscreen) husband from Phone Call from a Stranger. There were scenes that were hard to watch, since I love Bette and don't like to see her suffer. There is a very upsetting scene where she finds herself a victim of an elaborate financial scam. It's frightening for anyone, young or old, and it's deplorable that these villains frequently target old people to try and steal their money. But I'd rather see Bette suffer and act than ham her way through Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.

Grandma Esther defies the challenges of old age with dignity and her character is deliciously charming, sensible and intelligent. I always adored her. This grand film should, undoubtedly, have been made for the movies. Well told story, superbly depicts old people when they become a problem to the family. It reminded my own struggle to keep my Grandma with me and my parents insisting on my ruining my future by doing so.