Saving Milly

"Saving Milly" is the true story of Milly Martinez Kondracke's courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. It is clear from this carefully wrought television film that the producers, director, designers, and actors deeply cared about the project. The outstanding actress Madeleine Stowe plays the role of Milly, who was a caretaker in her family and a political activist before her life was cut short with an extreme form of Parkinson's. There is a luminous quality to Madeleine Stowe's emotionally wrenching performance, especially in the director's close-ups. Bruce Greenwood is also excellent in his role as Milly's husband, the journalist Mort Kondracke. After she had helped him to conquer alcoholism, he rises to the occasion to care for Milly and lobby for greater funding in Parkinson's research. The film hit the right balance between a touching family drama and a strong social statement which raises consciousness about this deadly disease. This was a heartfelt and moving film experience and one that should inspire more awareness and funding in the search for a cure for Parkinson's disease.