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Created Jan 01, 2008 08:56PM PST • Edited Apr 24, 2015 02:01PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   Emotional Savages would be a more apt title for this examination of petty narcissists forced to depend on each other. They are an elderly father and his two grown children, making the story recognizable to a generation of baby boomers, many of whom are dealing with similar responsibilities.

   Laura Linney and Phillip Seymour Hoffman deliver a master class in modern film acting.

4. Acting

   Perfect 5.0

   Phillip Seymour Hoffman – who seems to be in most movies these days – delivers yet another brilliant performance as yet another dissolute intellectual. Though never less than terrific, he has become typecast as the slovenly smart guy.

   Laura Linney – herself often in similar roles – also turns in a typically brilliant performance.

   Philip Bosco plays unlikable well, here as a crud of a Dad who has reached his undignified elderly end.

5. Male Stars Perfect 5.0

6. Female Stars Perfect 5.0

7. Female Costars Perfect 5.0

8. Male Costars Perfect 5.0

10. Film

    Good 3.0

    Well crafted, bleakly funny movie.

11. Direction Very Good 3.5

12. Play Great 4.0

    The screenplay masterfully captures the delusions, casual lies, and reflexive selfishness that comes so naturally to Papa Savage and his two children. What makes the movie fascinating is that these three people – usually looking out for number one – finally find themselves in a situation where they have to depend on each other.

13. Music Good 3.0

14. Visuals OK 2.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.6

17. Sex Titillating 2.0

18. Violence Gentle 1.0

19. Rudeness Salty 1.9

21. Reality

    Natural 1.0

    The elder-care scenes felt entirely real, complete with the lucidity test the Father was given at a nursing home. Sadly, he was asked questions that would have stumped anyone who has ever gotten off an airplane, woken up in a strange bed, and taken a moment to remember what city he now occupied.

22. Circumstantial Natural 1.0

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0