What They Had (2018)

What They Had Poster

A woman must fly back to her hometown when her Alzheimer's-stricken mother wanders into a blizzard. The return home forces her to confront her past.

Movie Overview
"What They Had" is a gripping 2018 household drama movie written and directed by Elizabeth Chomko. The worths of love, memory, and sustaining familial bonds are at the center of this movie, which strongly depicts the pain and stress that Alzheimer's disease can cause on a household. Starring Hilary Swank, Michael Shannon, Robert Forster, Blythe Danner, and Taissa Farmiga, the story unfolds as a vivid expedition of the ties that bind us and the losses that form us.

The Plot
The plot is set off by Ruth, potently played by Blythe Danner, who is fighting with Alzheimer's illness and wanders into a blizzard on Christmas Eve in Chicago. Bridget, a character brilliantly played by Hilary Swank, who is Ruth's child, receives a frantic call from her brother, Nicky, portrayed by Michael Shannon. Nicky advises Bridget to come home to help decide what to do about their ailing mom. Bridget, along with her own college-going daughter Emma, return home to decide on a feasible care plan for Ruth.

Household Dynamics
"What They Had" shines with its portrayal of family dynamics. Bridget is a child, divorced and stuck in an unfulfilling relationship, wrestling with the choices she's made and the life she now lives. On the other hand, Nicky, an unmarried bar owner, is bitter and determined that their mom needs to be moved into full-time care, a choice versus which their daddy, Burt, resolutely played by Robert Forster, is passionately resistant, affirming that he can take care of his spouse just fine.

The Dilemma
Throughout the movie, the predicament of what they must make with their mom hangs heavily over the family. The well-measured script provides no simple responses and showcases the uncomfortable reality of Alzheimer's - the gradual loss of a loved one, the concern of care, and the troubled option between nursing homes and individual care. Bridget finds herself dealing with the choice about what to do with Ruth - an option in between fulfilling the desires of her brother, who resolutely thinks it is time they had expert help for their mother, or appreciating the stubborn dreams of her father, who is determined to look after his precious partner till the end.

Conclusions and Emotional Beats
As the story unfolds, the motion picture handles to strike numerous emotional beats. From remorse, rejection, to acceptance and love, "What They Had" is a moving movie catching the devastating truth of a family dealing with Alzheimer's. It renders noticeable the complications and heart-wrenching choices involved in looking after a liked one with Alzheimer's, consisting of the internal fights, the shared laughter, and tears.

Eventually, "What They Had" is a poignant, extensive movie representation about memory, loss, and the long-lasting power of love. The excellent script and skillful performances provide a practical, in some cases painful, yet caring take a look at a story that many families deal with today. It's a movie that's likely to resonate strongly, especially for those who themselves have actually dealt with Alzheimer's within their own families. "What They Had" isn't simply an Alzheimer's movie; it's a movie about household, loyalty, and sacrifice.

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