Tamara Jenkins The Savages begins with an eerily sublime, David Lynch-esque introduction to the suburbs of Sun City, Arizona, which quickly gives way to an uncomfortable scene of elderly dementia.

Cue to the films two lead characters; Wendy Savage (Laura Linney), an office drone and inspiring playwright who lives in New York City where she is in involved in a marital affair with Larry (Peter Friedman); and her brother John Savage (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a drama professor who resides in Buffalo and is in a relationship with a Polish immigrant (Cara Seymour) whose visa has expired.

Together they travel to Arizona to take care of their estranged father Lenny (Philip Bosco), who has succumbed to dementia and requires 24 hour care.

While watching The Savages, I was struck by how this deep and intimate picture reminded me of the heartfelt films of the early 1970’s, particularly those by Hal Ashby and Jerry Schatzberg.

Although the film is rooted in dark subject matter, its subtle comedic touches lends humour at the right moments, and its tender moments do no feel forced and are profoundly heartfelt due to the at times questionable nature of its characters, as a family torn apart by abuse and bitterness is brought together by resentment, guilt, and a children’s duty to their parents.

Stellar performances are given by lead actors Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney, two naturalistic performers who hit all of the right notes required from their multi-layered characters. Hoffman in particular has had quite an extraordinary year with magnificent turns in Charlie Wilson’s War and Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.

In spite of the fact that their characters are not the most likeable pair, empathy is felt for them due to their poor upbringing by Lenny, who is played magnificently by Philip Bosco. While we the viewer only see a frail old men and not the abusive and abandoning father as described by his children, Jenkins drops hints along the way which informs the viewer as to the type of abuse these people endured during their infancy.

The Savages is laced with extremely awkward moments that will make some wince, yet it handles these moments with a brutal honesty that reminds us of an unspoken and ugly truth of life: We - along with those close to us - will grow old and die. For that alone this is highly recommended.