The 6 Oscar nominations confirmed my worst fears. Congratulations to Sir Anthony Hopkins for finally checking “Alzheimer’s Patient” off his acting bucket list. Hello, what’s this? It was directed by the same guy who wrote the play, Florian Zeller. You know what that means? Characters may come and go, but once the credits end with Anne (Olivia Colman) entering her father Anthony’s (Anthony Hopkins) apartment, the audience will remain trapped inside the canned theatre. There is one new wrinkle to keep it interesting, at least for the first half: the drama plays out from inside Anthony’s mind. Caught in the agony of dementia, he’s at best a sort of unreliable narrator. We’re never quite sure what version of the truth, if there is such a thing, to rely on. Two actors inhabit one character while some performers assume dual roles. When one character leaves the room, you never know who will return in their place. Move past the gimmick and superb cast and what’s left? They just as easily could have named it Still Alice, the Iron Lady, Stood Away from Her, Never Singing for her Father. With: Rufus Sewell and Imogen Poots. (2020) — Scott Marks
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