Genevieve Bujold is one of the most revered actresses in France. Cromwell also has chops. But it is the really well done story that I appreciate as the fight between a cogent and pragmatic approach to the integrity of life is countered by the incredibly maddening aspects of modern day governmental regulation of life, which impacts our personal freedom enormously, as seen in this movie. Corporations literally get away with murder, but the average citizen is often reamed by the picky little rules of ignorant bureaucrats who have lost sight of their true mandate, which is to serve their citizens. The subtext was moving as the marriage of a farming family is depicted at the end of a 61 year long marriage, the fight to stay independent while loving children try to infantalize their fiercely independent parents. So many are living these situations in various ways today. It is rare to see such a touching and heartfelt depiction of life in rural Canada. It is neither maudlin nor kitsch.

James Cromwell and Genevieve Bujold have created magic with this warm, sometimes sad, but always loving movie. It is a story of family, frustrations, friends and treasuring each day as it comes. This is a MUST GO, do yourself the favor of seeing it.

This movie is a revelation to the trials and tribulations of old age. The couple in this film have loved each other deeply for 61-years. They had 7 children, worked a land of 1000 acres, and survived through the generations. The wife's mind and memory are deteriorating rapidly and the husband knows their house of many years is becoming unsuitable for her to survive going forward. The husband has an iron will and sets out to build a simple, practical house that will make it very easy for his wife to move around in and for them to manage in the future. Unfortunately, the building department in the county is riddled with bureaucrats who end up foiling his plans. This is not the type of individual to give up his fight, which is why this movie is so entertaining to watch. The life of an octogenarian couple is complicated beyond belief, and this movie truly gives the audience a feel for it. I was mesmerized.

A moving, superbly-acted film based on a true story, chronicling a long-term loving marriage and the couple's passage into old age and its infirmities of mind and body. Also the passage of hands-on craftsmanship and integrity, into "more efficient" and rigid modern ways, complete with unfeeling bureaucracies.

The story line is Amour with a happy ending. But the acting and cinematography make this a must-see. Cromwell and Bujold have created magical performances that are flawless in their portrayal of the highs and lows of a long-term marriage, living in a challenging environment and having to deal with a Kafka-esque bureaucracy. The visual aspect of the movie stays in your mind - the passage of time is handled well. The pace is appropriately slow, a welcome relief from the usual warp speed of plot development popular today. Cromwell has played many interesting characters over the years but he knocked it out of the park with this one.