Lost for Words

I very highly recommend this tale of an aging parent's last days. This sweet, touching story accurately depicts a succession of strokes and partial recoveries -- complete with physical, emotional, and mental struggles that frustrate and frighten not only the elderly patient but her middle-aged son. The performances are brilliant and sincere. The staging and pace/editing perfect. You may want to keep a hankie nearby.

`In Asian cultures old folks are revered. In America they are generally ignored. In the UK they are accepted and enjoyed.`

While this is a gross generalization, watch this film and you will see a bit of what I mean. This story is one of the best that I've seen dealing with the relationship between a grown man and his rapidly aging mother. This mother has a unique way of dealing with the world and this son loves her even though she sorely tries him.

In this movie there is a sadness that is, in itself, comforting. While the sadness is heart-rending, the absence of it would be even more terrible. In some way the presence of this sadness brings its own comfort with it. See it and you will never forget it.

A brilliant TV movie which portrays the slow deterioration of an elderly parent which I have experienced first hand, it is very true to life. I know this after I looked after my Aunt who suffered with the terrible symptoms of dementia for over 4 years. I just wish it was available on DVD or VHS as it is discontinued now. Pity. Thora Hird is excellent as the old lady and plays the part brilliantly as do the rest of the cast. It shows how difficult dealing with dementia can be and shows the symptoms very well indeed. The frustrations of the disease are terrible and more people should be aware of what can happen to elderly people and could also happen to any one of us. This film should be shown to school children and carers of others dealing with dementia as it shows clearly the problems you may have to face.....if you do please remember that dementia patients are NOT mad....they have simply forgotten their life and friends / relatives....it is brain damage..they don't know! I found this the most difficult thing to cope with, the fact that she thought I was her Brother or her husband when in fact I was her Nephew...also saying they are OK and don't need any help. It is hard.

This bittersweet exploration of what familial love is, and the pain there is for all concerned in losing someone to this most alienating of diseases (alzheimers) proves something exceptional in that it shows Dame Thora aware of her own frailty (physically and mentally) yet still able to put it all together for one last truly great performance.

It tells too of the various shades of reality of existence that really are what some mental illness (or deterioration) can be about.

And it's OK to laugh, because it shows the fragility of what we are all so sure of...our hold on the world and the way we see it. And that certainty is laughable.

Pete Postlethwaite - magic.

One of the most fantastic dramas I have ever seen. There is good writing and there is pure genius. This exemplifies quality tv production - there is nothing I can say to put into words just exactly how wonderful this drama is. I am absolutely lost for words