Ruby's Choice

Like many Australian movies this movie as well intentioned as it is had many flaws. To start with there are too many main characters and a few too many family issues to deal with in one movie. It has also been made on a low budget and that is telling. Poor location settings, bad lighting and poor sound mix and production don't help this intense and emotional drama. Having been through dementia with my own mother I could certainly identify with what what happening to Ruby (Jane Seymour) but also had some issues with the way her decline was portrayed. It was all pretty depressing. I fondly remember some very funny moments with mums demise. Her frank and fearless commentary about her life which was often at others expense, her forays into a fantasy world and her getting lost and once ending up at the races and being taken back to the home by police. Having said that Jacqueline McKenzie gives a stellar performance as the daughter and the young woman who plays the granddaughter is also good (Jack Gillies) . Stephen Hunter as the father is excellent as the husband. There are many confusing things in both the plot and the structure of the film but it does give the audience a strong insight into the whole condition of dementia. 3 stars.