Hot Take: Want to reach a depressive state? Watching a family cope with a mother in the later stages of Alzheimer’s is usually reserved for Lifetime Movie status but Elizabeth Chomko’s feature film debut rises above.
Remember those forgettable popcorn action flicks from this summer when you might have been asking for something with a little more emotional weight (maybe leave out Avengers: Infinity War from this discussion)? Well, writer/director Elizabeth Chomko has filled that void with her first feature film, What They Had. Featuring a great ensemble cast and all too real subject (It is based on the true story of Chomko’s real life family), What They Had takes an emotional toll on the viewer with the dexterity to avoid hitting on the cliches that usually see these films bound for the Lifetime Movie of the Week. Filled with solid performances from Blythe Danner, Robert Forster, Hilary Swank (Does every movie she appears in have to require a box of tissues?) and Michael Shannon, Chomko makes a film that will register with anyone part of a family whose dealt with the care of a mother or father suffering from illness or disease, even if it’s not Alzheimer’s, specifically. While the film does have a handful of lighthearted moments, they are fleeting and, for the most part, you’re in for a gut wrenching portrayal of the affects of an illness such as Alzheimer’s on everyone involved in the family from husband to children, in this instance.
What They Had opens with Ruth (Blythe Danner), the family’s matriarch, wondering off during a blizzard in the middle of the night. Alerted to her disappearance by Ruth’s husband and their father, Burt (Robert Forster), Nicky (Michael Shannon) calls his sister Bridget (Hilary Swank) in an effort to convince her to utilize her Power of Attorney to put Ruth in assisted living which would be against Burt’s wishes. They eventually locate Ruth at a local hospital who remembers little of what happened thanks to her advanced stage Alzheimer’s and the fireworks begin between Burt and Nicky who wants what he thinks is best for his mom and dad even if dad doesn’t agree.
Essentially, What They Had is a family drama. Ruth’s illness is secondary to what they family is going through as Bridget has avoided the family drama while off in California with her husband in an unhappy marriage where she’s repeating the same mistakes with her daughter Emma (Taissa Farmiga) by trying to control her life much like her dad did with her. As the film progresses, the performers deliver outstanding portrayals of their characters. It’s unfortunate that no one truly stands out amongst the quartet as all equally deliver which makes it likely they will cancel each other out come Awards season voting.
For Chomko, it brings forth a stellar debut. She deftly handles her performers and the subject matter and the deeply personal nature of the story is obvious. She handles the topic with a familiarity that adds to the emotional heft of the film. What They Had could have used a few more lighthearted moments to break up the emotional ones as most of the laughs are reserved for uncomfortable situations such as when Nicky must tell his sister and then his dad that mom hit on him when he was driving her home from the hospital.
While summer is reserved for popcorn flicks, What They Had is the textbook fall film. It’s not strong enough to do too much damage at the box office but should have longevity when it becomes available on streaming services. And even though it wasn’t made for Lifetime or Hallmark, it definitely should be one that people catch on cable when the time comes, as well.
Why Watch?
It’s an emotional roller coaster and delivers all the feels you’d expect.
Why Skip?
It’s an emotional roller coaster and delivers all the feels you’d expect.