TWO WEEKS

TWO WEEKS SURPRISINGLY WORTH EVERY DAY

There was no rush for me to watch this film. It is technically 2006, but I notice video stores calling three and four year old movies "new" releases. Perhaps it hits a chord with me in a personal way that clouds my better judgement to review a Sally Field tear-jerker, but I'll take my chances. No mystery here, Anita Bergman (Sally Field) is the terminally ill mother of four children. Two Weeks is the time the adult children begin to stand vigil for their mother in her time of need. Keith (Ben Chaplin) is the oldest and acts as our narrator as he films his mother in better condition to live a "living will" of sorts, a message from beyond the grave. Those were the most sappy and not the better part of this film. The better part is watching the siblings act and react to and with each other in realistic ways that one acts while in this sort of situation. Each actor does a wonderful job in their role, although I believe Chaplin actually glows. This isn't a pleasant issue to discuss, as is watching the slow death of a loved one. There is humor that is appropriately inappropriate. They call "dibbs" on the left over morphine and pain killers. Our society doesn't place value on the dying process. We hide our elderly in over crowded "homes" like they have something we could catch. Brilliant scene where clergy is called in. Death is highly personal and everyone deals with their own or others mortality in unique ways. This movie sparks such conversation. Nothing is candy coated, not even the Darvocet. If you can stand the typical mother loves you transition between the Two Weeks, it is well worth it.

PICK: Perhaps a bit syrupy in some parts, but a valuable and well done film.