Away From Her

Adapted from the short story "The Bear Came Over the Mountain" by Alice Munro, "Away from Her" tells the story of Grant and Fiona, married 40 years, as they deal with Fiona's worsening Alzheimer's. Here's a great example of how much more powerful well-adapted literature can be than something created solely for the screen. Put it on the shelf alongside "Brokeback Mountain," "25th Hour" or the most recent "Pride and Prejudice." Like improvised TV ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") vs. scripted, I'm not saying it's the only way to go, just making a point. It only makes sense that an adapted screenplay enjoys the benefit of all the background the source provides, and is richer by default than material that was developed after jotting down a few character outlines, a list of 25 plot points and a sexy log line: "In a world...!"

I also appreciated what I personally refer to, right or wrong, as a more European view of love. That is, we're not property, and sometimes to love is to let go.

A sad, snowy movie directed by Sarah Polley, who starred in one of my favorite sad, snowy movies, The Sweet Hereafter.