Dir: Sarah Friedland, US, 2024, 90 mins.
Cast: Kathleen Chalfant, Carolyn Michelle, Andy McQueen, H. Jon Benjamin
Review by Carlie Newman
Well-directed by Sarah Friedland, it depicts a woman in her 80s, suffering from dementia, being taken by her son, Steve (H.Jon Benjamin) – who she mistakes for a suitor – to an upmarket Los Angeles assisted living facility. Ruth doesn’t realise where she is and tries to understand how the dining room works, who the staff are and quite what she is doing there.
While Ruth is not keen to socialise with the other residents, she makes a connection with the care workers (Andy McQueen, Carolyn Michelle). A former cook, Ruth is able to recite the recipe for Borsht.
The film is realistic in its depiction of dementia and the demands it makes of the sufferer and those who care for her. Acting and production qualities or a high standard and surely Chalfant should be up for an Oscar!
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