Still Mine

I remember reading in the Globe & Mail in the fall of 2010 about the people and events on which the screenplay of STILL was written by Michael McGowan and was delighted to see the story come to the screen less than two years later. It is so refreshing to see an honest film with no gimmicks. Produced with a budget of just $3M, filmed in northern Ontario and New Brunswick, it is a delight. It isn't easy to deal with the topic of dementia but McGowan handles it gracefully, with gentle humour and respect. Geneviève Bujold and James Cromwell give outstanding performances. It is a heartwarming story for sure, and garnered much applause from the audience.

I was easily able to empathize with this movie and especially our lead Craig Morrison (James Cromwell) as you grow older, your abilities start to slowly wane, and you want one last chance at glory. Craig's plight is much more about glory. He is fighting to keep the relationship with his wife, and avoid suggestions from his kids to put her in a home (Bujold) despite her early signs of Dementia. This movie hit me on so many emotional levels. Not only did I care about the fate of Craig & Irene, but I became truly angry at how Craig was being belittled by the bureaucracy for such a minor thing, like not following all the rules, despite that the house is perfectly safe, and Craig knows exactly what he's doing. His battle of handling his wife's slow descent into Dementia was also heart wrenching to watch. I felt the children of the Morrison's were a bit selfish at first, but as the movie went along, they grew on me, and I understood them more. Cromwell & Bujold are absolutely magnificent together, and their relationship is one of the most enjoyable I have seen in eons. It was genuine, and it didn't feel contrived in the slightest. James is an ordinary man, and one we can all sympathize with. He's a good man, and you'll be rooting for him all the way. He's a man passionate about his beliefs, and his wife. I give all the credit to James Cromwell's fantastic performance. He's always been a great character actor, but never has he shined like this. He conveyed his emotions perfectly. Geneviève Bujold is equally as good as Cromwell. She is utterly phenomenal as a woman slowly losing her way, due to dementia. I feared her, but felt for her at the same time. She's always been a great actress, and this is one that will be talked about for some time. Jonathan Potts is great as the unlikable bureaucrat.

Final Thoughts: It's just a wonderful film, and one not talked about nearly enough for my liking. As a Canadian, I am proud of how good this movie is. Any one should be able to get into it. It's a very moving film

8.7/10

On occasions supporting actors carry the weight of the movie. James Cromwell is the perfect example of this. After decades of being a supporting actor, Cromwell does 'Still Mine' as his first movie in a lead role. It was long due for him to be the star of a film. No only he does a marvelous job playing Craig Morrisson but also stars Genevieve Bujold as Cromwell's wife. This two awesome actors play an elder couple who want and start to build a house against local authorities laws. Never a dull moment throughout the movie, and totally worth the while. It will take you on a journey of watching an elder man take care of his wife and do whatever he has to, so she is comfortable for the remain of her days

Agree with other reviews here, there must be a ratings error. I see a lot of films for work and for pleasure and Still Mine is one of the best I've seen in the last couple of years.

No, you won't get CGI, explosions and budding romance from this film. It's from an emerging genre - films for oldies - think Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (which I loved), Quartet (which I didn't) and Amour, to which it has been compared.

Except to say, it's a compelling story, tightly written, with exceptional performances, which should interest most people, of any age, as long as you don't solely crave superhero sequels.

On one hand, this is a tale, based on a true story, of the short-sightedness of bureaucracy. Who hasn't fought red tape, at some point in their lives? On another, it's about trusting each other and allowing those with fading powers to live the life they want to live for as long as possible.

I was shocked to see the low rating this film has received here. It is a brilliant flick that left everyone in the packed audience on the verge of tears. The film, based on a true story, is a about a man who sets to building a home that is suitable for his wife with early signs of dementia. An independent sort, he mills his own lumber and builds the home to the exacting standards he learned from his father. He soon runs afoul of the county building inspector. The sterling performance of James Cromwell is one that will echo with you for weeks after viewing. Bujold's disjointed performance perfectly captures the supreme loss of dementia, a silent invader that steals the self. Not in any way smarmy but perhaps suited to an older viewer.