Supernova

What a horrible and unfair thing dementia is. Not only for the patient, but also for the loved ones who have to take care of them and watch them begin to lose their memories, thoughts and basic functions.

This is what Sam and Tusker have to confront and prepare for in the latest film, ‘Supernova’, starring Colin Firth as Sam and Stanley Tucci as Tusker.

This is definitely not a joy ride of a film by any means but the performances alone make it worth watching. Both Firth and Tucci are excellent as partners who have been together for 20 years and are taking a long trip to see family and friends after being away many years. During this time together, we see Tusker at times try to do the most simple of tasks but he cannot do so without the help of Sam. Sam is trying to hide his fear, anger and despair at knowing he is losing Tusker and realizes, a fear he expresses during a climatic scene in the film, that he does not want to be alone. It is great watching Firth and Tucci play opposite and off each other (they have also been good friends for over 20 years) and they are very realistic in these roles. While there are other actors in different scenes, this movie definitely belongs to Firth and Tucci as they are in just about every scene.

The movie definitely makes you think about mortality and decisions one must make when it comes to how one prepares to die. It also makes you question the actions of those who want to decide how and when they die. Very hard moments in the film for sure.

One key scene that did stick with me from a dialogue perspective is when Tusker tells Sam that it isn’t ‘fair to you’ to have to go through all of this with him, but Sam insists, ‘it’s not about fair, it’s about love.

While the performances are outstanding, there are some moments that did feel a little ‘forced’ at times and those are what make me from calling this a great film, instead making it a good film.

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