The Savages

Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney in "The Savages" (Credit: Andrew Schwartz/Fox Searchlight)

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Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman star as siblings Wendy and Jon Savage--who were abandoned by both parents at various points in their lives--as they deal with their father's dementia and their own stagnant professional and romantic situations.

Big question: Was writer-director Tamara Jenkins' long-awaited follow-up to 1998's "Slums of Beverly Hills" worth the wait?

Catch it: Awkwardly dramatic and comedically dryer than last week's paint job, "The Savages" deals with the general discomfort felt by people whose lives aren't yet on track. We're in good hands with actors this sturdy, even if some of the details in Jenkins' script--from Wendy's relationship with a married man to some misguided attempts at ironic humor--don't live up to an otherwise well-formed study of an almost-broken family.

Skip it: If you think all "doctors" have the same skills. As John's father learns, his son's doctorate of philosophy doesn't actually allow him to practice medicine.

Bottom line: Linney and Hoffman find nuance and freshness in familiar, neurotic literary types, and their struggle to adjust to their dad's mental problems and need for continuous care reveals the love that still exists among estranged people. It's no "Away From Her," but the sad reality of aging and the picture of adults who still need a push in the right direction are rarely so keenly observed and honestly delivered.

Bonus: Consider if you can relate to the title of Wendy's (Linney) semi-autobiographical play about her childhood: "Wake Me When It's Over."

mpais@tribune.com

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