The Savages

The Savages of "The Savages" are adult siblings (Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman) who are forced take charge of a father (Philip Bosco) who they haven't seen in years. Now suffering from dementia, he's little more than a large child that they practically have to parent as his health deteriorates, a process writer/director Tamara Jenkins presents with brutally funny wit. "The dynamics between two siblings forced together to care for their demented old father are observed wisely and well, and with more than a little humor," writes Variety critic Todd McCarthy. "Tamara Jenkins excels more at maximizing individual moments here than at developing a meaty story line. But a great many of the moments are choice ... with superb performances by Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman ..." The DVD includes the 20-minute featurette "About the Savages," two extended scenes, and a gallery of Jenkins' personal snapshots from the set.