Lovely, Still (2012)

Best movie of this year hands down!

Please don't spend money on this.

Let's be realistic.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

Ellen Burstyn and Martin Landau are so natural and graceful, they make even the corniest and most telegraphed moments almost work…almost. A movie that hinges on its charm (which works) and its twist (which does NOT work), the melodramatic and maudlin soap opera story overbears the fantastic performances.

What a pleasant surprise "Lovely Still" turned out to be! The story centres around two firsts for an elderly man, played exceptionally well by Martin Landau. The flick plays out as a nice-but-ordinary love story enhanced by the work of Ellen Burstyn until near the end. Then all hell breaks loose as memory lapses and renewed recollections arise with Robert, Landau's character. This portrayal is so realistic that you are a part of the film, having the scenes imprinted on you as if you are there. I don't understand why "Lovely Still" is not listed as an important film under either Landau's nor Burstyn's listings on the IMDb listings. Young Nik Fackler did wonderful work as writer and director.For years I've watched movies and read reviews here. This is the first time I've been moved to put down praise. Bravo!

I came across this gem of a film on cable by accident and was taken by its beauty, sensitivity, and honesty. It is a realistic portrait of a loving family coping with "the long good-bye" of Alzheimers, of a wife trying keep the connection between her and her husband alive even if the wiring is faulty, of a man among people who care yet is still traveling alone down the road to oblivion. Martin Landau and Ellen Burstyn are fantastic. I knew from the beginning that something was off in the storyline, but the end revelation caught me by surprise anyway. A "must-see" for anyone caring for a loved one with this devastating disease. My mother had Alzheimers and our only consolation was that she passed away before she stopped recognizing my father.

At first I thought there too much of an age difference between the two main characters for a romance, but looking them up I see that they were both in their 70s during filming, and are only 4 years apart in age.Martin Landau is Robert Malone, living alone, his daily routine involves going to a local grocery store where he does odd jobs. He seems to have a good relationship with the store manager, Mike.One day he goes outside and absentmindedly forgets to close his front door. It is winter, and when he gets home is puzzled, then finds a woman in his house, Ellen Burstyn as Mary, a neighbor. At first Robert is angry that someone is in his house, but cools down.Mary ends up inviting Robert for dinner. She seems to be interested in him, he seems to be flattered. They keep the date, they get along well.This is a very nice small movie, made special by the acting of Landau and Burstyn. Also with Adam Scott as the store manager Mike and Elizabeth Banks as Mary's daughter Alex.SPOILERS: We soon figure out that Robert has some memory problems, maybe just dementia. Mary is actually his wife, Mike his son, managing the store his dad, Robert, owns. And Alex is the daughter. Robert doesn't know who they are anymore, but they still love him and try to do what they can to keep in a relationship with him, and help to keep him safe and happy.