«What They Had»: Alzheimer’s That Shatters Lives

Cinema Wednesdays - Lauriane Pipoz

Bridget’s mother, who has Alzheimer’s, goes out and gets lost in the city one blizzard-filled evening. Worried, Bridget’s father calls her brother, who then joins them. Her mother is soon found, but the decision of whether or not to place her in a hospital hangs over the family. And, stirring up old resentments, begins to tear the family apart.

Elizabeth Chomko’s directorial debut is based on her own family’s story; she describes it as a «love poem» to her family. And it’s a great success: the characters are touching, and the story is told with great skill.

In search of happiness

The main plot revolves around the conflict between Bridget’s brother Nicki and their father: while Nicki is convinced that their mother should be admitted to a specialized hospital, their father absolutely refuses to hear of it. You very quickly grow fond of the old man who refuses to abandon his wife. You can’t help but agree with him when he repeats that love is a commitment, and you share in his distress.

But other issues are emerging. The elderly patriarch seems to have retained a clear tendency to want to control his children’s lives and to judge them. Each of them has responded differently to this attitude. This creates new conflicts and prompts them to reevaluate how they view their own lives.

These characters, in search of happiness, grapple with the questions that plague us every day. They’re so touching because they’re so ordinary. None of them seem idealized: we can see that they’re all trying to do the right thing, but they just can’t seem to get it right. Bridget, the main character, seems particularly trapped in her loneliness.

A very fine film

While some emotions are expressed through dialogue, others are also suggested through slower shots or ellipses. This latter element lends the film a great deal of subtlety, which is lost in a story that drags on. The pace varies; many events occur, but they don’t make the viewer feel rushed. On the contrary: at times, the viewer seems suspended within the story, before being drawn into a new scene.

The music is gentle and understated, and the film is also punctuated by moments of lightheartedness. The family members laugh on numerous occasions, showing that it isn’t necessary to take everything too seriously. These scenes are among the most touching. They reflect the differences between the characters—since they don’t all laugh at the same time—but also add a positive touch despite the film’s heavy subject matter. It’s a very difficult subject, but it’s handled with great class.

Write to the author: [email protected]

Photo credit: © Impuls Pictures