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The Savages

Play trailer Poster for The Savages R 2007 1h 53m Drama Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 171 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Wendy Savage (Laura Linney), a struggling playwright, has little to do with her brother, Jon (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a college professor and author. However, the siblings must find a way to work together when their father, Lenny (Philip Bosco), slides into senility and must be placed in a nursing home.
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The Savages

The Savages

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Critics Consensus

Thanks to a tender, funny script from director Tamara Jenkins, and fine performances from Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney, this film delivers a nuanced, beautifully three-dimensional look at the struggles and comforts of family bonds.

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Critics Reviews

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Christopher Orr The New Republic Sep 22, 2008
Linney and Hoffman are both terrific, and Jenkins's script is pointed and perceptive, but the film's arc is a little flat. Go to Full Review Alonso Duralde MSNBC May 1, 2008
4/5
While writer-director Tamara Jenkins (Slums of Beverly Hills) lets things get a little mushy towards the end, the film brilliantly portrays a difficult family moment made even more complicated by her characters' overweening narcissism. Go to Full Review Jonathan F. Richards Film.com Feb 7, 2008
It's billed as a comedy. You may or may not find much to laugh at. Go to Full Review Mitchell Beaupre Paste Magazine Nov 30, 2022
8/10
Scabrously funny at times, but even the humor comes from its reckoning with the ugliness of life. Go to Full Review Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site Mar 5, 2021
The Savages underscores in a humane manner how disposable the elderly are in America and how burdened and neglected their caregivers. Go to Full Review Nando Salvá Cinemanía (Spain) Nov 5, 2020
4/5
[Director and screenwriter Tamara Jenkins'] great dramatic achievement is in the continuous and subtle changes of tone. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 16, 2026 The Savages = a *4* star Movie! See more Scott R @ScottR Jun 4, 2026 NYT 1000 films. This drama was painful and reminded me of the issues facing our aging parents as they try to finish their lives in dignity and money often becomes an issue. Well acted, but frustrating characters and motivations. Saw on box. See more thiago s @Thiagostone Jul 24, 2025 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Gareth v @geewah Jul 23, 2025 Mature storytelling that looks at adult sibiling rivalry and unresolved family issues centred around the declined of the family matriach. Linney and Hoffman as always are standouts in this movie. See more Cynthia T @RT42766706 Feb 24, 2025 This film effectively conveyed the myriad complexities of adult sibling rivalry within the cruel realties of a less-than-ideal family history. The actors embodied their characters with humour, sensitivity and fearlessness. See more Geke g @RT40239519 Aug 11, 2024 Tamara jenkins is top tier director right there See more Read all reviews
The Savages

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Cast & Crew

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Tamara Jenkins

Director

Laura Linney

Wendy Savage

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Jon Savage

Philip Bosco

Lenny Savage

Peter Friedman

Larry

Gbenga Akinnagbe

Jimmy

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The Savages

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Movie Info

Synopsis Wendy Savage (Laura Linney), a struggling playwright, has little to do with her brother, Jon (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a college professor and author. However, the siblings must find a way to work together when their father, Lenny (Philip Bosco), slides into senility and must be placed in a nursing home.
Director
Tamara Jenkins
Producer
Ted Hope, Anne Carey, Erica Westheimer
Screenwriter
Tamara Jenkins
Distributor
Fox
Production Co
This Is That Productions
Rating
R (Some Sensuality|Language)
Genre
Drama, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 28, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 15, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$6.6M
Runtime
1h 53m
Sound Mix
SDDS, DTS
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